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Join UsHeeramandi, the new series streaming on Netflix, is a masterpiece of raw emotion that surpasses previous films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Mandi, Kalank, and Devdas. Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s renowned attention to detail is evident in this epic drama, set in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. After their collaboration 30 years ago on the hit film 1942: A Love Story, Bhansali and Manisha Koirala reunite for this project. While drawing inspiration from movies such as Gangubai Kathiawadi made in 1994, Heeramandi presents a more refined portrayal of characters like Mallika Jaan (played by Koirala), Faradeen/Rehana (Sonakshi Sinha), Lajjo (Richa Chadha), Waheeda (Sanjeeda Shaikh), Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari), and Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal Mehta). This series transcends the themes of freedom, love, brothels, jealousy and delves deeper into raw human emotions.
Aside from this, Fardeen Khan (as Wali Mohammed) returns to the series after being maligned by Jason Shah (Cartwright) and Taha Shah (Tajdar). Bhansali took 14 years to make this series, which has gained quite a bit of momentum on OTT platforms. Additionally, each episode lasts from an hour to 50 minutes . Abhijit Iyer-Mitra took to X and expressed his thoughts on #Heeramandi, commenting on the lavish sets but also noting the abundance of songs and lack of plot within the first 15 minutes. Aniruddha Haridas praised the film’s camera work and mise-en-scène, referring to it as a masterclass. Aayush Sharma raved about #Heeramandi as a mesmerizing saga that pays tribute to overlooked historical figures, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali successfully reaching a wider audience while maintaining his cinematic style. Manisha Koirala and Aditi Rao Hydari were commended for their performances, with one comment specifically highlighting the chemistry between Alamzeb and Tajdar in the first episode. @mkoirala was also welcomed back on screen, delivering an exceptional performance alongside the rest of the cast in #Heeramandi. Surprisingly, Fardeen Khan also impressed with his acting skills.
Filmfare magazine recently reported that Sanjay Leela Bhansali had been planning Heeramandi for 18 years, and originally wanted to cast Rekha, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Rani Mukerji. It’s hard to forget when Bhansali first entered the world of directing with the iconic songs of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1994 film, 1942: A Love Story. Back then, Manisha Koirala portrayed a character who embodied love, romance, rebellion, and freedom as she gracefully floated across vibrant landscapes. In one memorable scene, her reunion with a prince charming on horseback was interrupted by a protest march for India’s independence. Now, three decades later, Bhansali and Koirala have joined forces once again to bring us another story of both personal and political liberation in his debut series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. The Netflix India Original show showcases the growth and evolution of two artists as they refine their talents and establish their individual identities. Manisha takes on the role of Mallika Jaan, a brothel owner in Heeramandi, a Lahore neighborhood during pre-Independence India. The casting is perfect – this is the same Manisha who mesmerized us in Bahon Ke Darmiya, the iconic song from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s first film Khamoshi: The Musical in 1996. In this show, she dances and sings with reluctance, still holding onto her past achievements while being trapped in its glory. With just one look or movement, we can see the life she has lived, the victories she has won, and the loss of her innocence. Unlike Gangubai Kathiawadi, Heeramandi doesn’t need to follow a linear biopic format because glimpses of their past emerge from every corner of the Shahi Mahal.
Bhansali’s show is a breath of fresh air, as he is finally able to free himself from his own cinematic conventions. He has been holding onto this story for years, and now, with the longer format of the show, he can fully explore its potential. However, don’t expect to see the usual elements of a Bhansali production – there will be no Aishwarya Rai twirling with fire on her pallu or Madhuri Dixit captivating the audience with a filmy mujra. And forget about seeing Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone intimately entwined in a passionate love scene. This show, titled Heeramandi, is not your typical Bhansali spectacle. Here, actors are not limited by their star status and there is no room for slow motion shots – the pacing is too quick for that. The tawaifs (courtesans) perform gracefully, without any grand fanfare. It may seem ironic, but each and every mujra highlights that these tawaifs dance solely for themselves, not to please the nawabs or even the audience .
