Segal was born to film editor Bela Bhansali Segal, who is the younger sister of
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Deepak Segal, the content head of
Applause Entertainment.[3] She also has a younger sister named Simran Segal . She is the granddaughter of film director Mohan Segal, who introduced veteran actress
Rekha to
Hindi cinema.[4]
In a 2019 interview, Segal opened up about being fat-shamed as a teenager. She mentioned that she was overweight as a teen and claimed that she was made fun of in school till she graduated. Talking about the current trend of promoting body positivity, she said that she was bullied for over 15 years and that she wasn't confident.[6]
Segal made her acting debut in 2019 with
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Malaal. She portrayed Astha Tripathi opposite
Meezaan Jafri.[8] It received mixed reviews from critics. The Times of India praised the performance of debutants Meezaan and Sharmin and their onscreen chemistry, termed it as a 'simmering love story' with 'romantic and intense moments'.[9]News18, termed the debut duo of Meezaan and Sharmin Segal 'charming in parts', but 'rough around the edges'.[10] Segal received
Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination for her performance.[11]
In 2022, she portrayed an air hostess Netra Banerjee opposite
Pratik Gandhi, in
ZEE5's Atithi Bhooto Bhava.[12][13] It received mixed reviews from critics. Filmfare wrote, "Sharmin looks convincing as the girl who has a hard time adjusting to her man's quirks. She and Pratik comes out as a real couple."[14]DNA India termed Segal as 'outstanding' and said that the film will leave you emotional.[15]
In 2024, Segal appeared in Bhansali's series Heeramandi, playing a poetess Alamzeb, opposite
Taha Shah Badussha.[16][17] Her performance was unanimously panned; Devansh Sharma of Hindustan Times noted, "Sharmin lend the much-needed youthful energy, but her voice and dialogue delivery does not work in her favour;"[18] while Shilajit Mitra of The Hindu, wrote that Alamzeb's character was "flatly played" by Segal.[19] She also received wide criticism for her role, which was said to be "expressionless."[20]