A Bhansali show is bound to be grandious, picturesque and a spilling spectacle with great minds and cinematographers bringing Bhansali’s visions to life. Heeramandi is everything grand but loses balance in places where one focuses on the sets more than the substance of the particular scene. The sheer talents of the actors shines bright in your face, sweeping you of your feet.
With incredible actresses such as Manisha Koirala portraying Mallika Jaan, Sonakshi Sinha as Faradeen/Rehana, Richa Chadha embodying Lajjo, Sanjeeda Shaikh as Waheeda, Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbo, and Sharmin Segal Mehta as Alamzeb, "Heeramandi" guarantees mesmerizing performances which surely enthrall the audiences in every scene.
The last collaboration between Manisha Koirala and Sanjay Leela Bhansali wa sthe 1942- A Love Story, it stirs up alot of excitement to watch them work together once again in the debut web series production by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Bhansali projects have a knack for empathetically portraying the lives and experiences of sex workers, evident in works like "Devdas," "Gangubai Kathiawadi," and now "Heeramandi." Heeramandi revolves around a power struggle between Mallikajaan (played by Manisha Koirala), the revered figure known as the 'queen of Heeramandi,' and Fareedan (portrayed by Sonakshi Sinha), who seeks revenge and aims to claim her own throne in the brothel's hierarchy.
Do you know Heeramandi is a real place located in Lahore, and the show took 14 years of making along Bhansali’s desire to cast Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan in this project. The area back in time was called Hira Di Mandi which was a grain market, however in th Mughal reign the kings brought in dancers from Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and soon it bacame a courtesan’s realm.
The aesthetics in the eight part series are on point, the grand sets and costumes are the highlight of the show. Poetry and Melodious tunes surely light up the mood. However the Choreography was left lightened with not very intense work, many viewers complained the lack of heightened quality of footwork.
Heeramandi intriguingly enhances and intertwines the concept of revolution on both personal and political levels. Set against the backdrop of 1940s the show also reflects on the freedom struggle against the English Crown. the show skillfully integrates the language of revolution into its narrative, gradually making it impossible to overlook. In a society where women's contributions to dissent are often overlooked, "Heeramandi" offers a refreshing perspective. While the freedom struggle depicted in the series isn't purely historical, it focuses more on its profound impact and effect on the characters and their world. However the focus st parts can be disembarked and one might feel lost but the shimmer of the show makes up for it i guess.
In an exclusive interview with Filmfare magazine, Sanjay Leela Bhansali disclosed his original vision for "Heeramandi" 18 years ago, expressing his desire to cast Rekha, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles.
The history of Heeramandi is an age-old story, one can read more on the Diamond Market in the the book called “The Dancing Girls of Lahore”.
Here's a trailer of the show; glimpse into the world and decide if you want to wander more or not.
Heeramandi- The Diamond Bazaar
The X formerly known as Twitter has seen its users riveting around their mixed opinion on the new series.
