14 Years And Heeramandi is Out: This Is Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Most Controversial Work Yet

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar Review By The OTT Review

Lavish Sets, Hidden Secrets, and a Star-Studded Cast. Is Heeramandi Bhansali’s Greatest Triumph Yet? Sanjay Leela Bhansali has taken 14 long years to make this eight-part Netflix series.

A lot of buzz surrounding the release of Heeramani

From the start, Heeramandi offers a luxuriously distant world. It’s as if Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his streaming debut, is determined to make us yearn for the grandiosity of the cinema.

Mallikajaan, a courtesan in Lahore, heartbroken and trapped, sobs by a fire, sacrificing her treasures to the flames.

Her mansion is cloaked in haunting darkness. But when a voice echoes and a curtain opens, we see the vibrancy of the haveli across the way – full of light, music, and joyous life.

This mesmerizing scene speaks volumes about the show’s themes without relying on words.

The Creator, Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Heermandi is infused with poetic beauty. Bhansali, inspired by the pre-Independence setting, pays homage to legendary Sufi and Urdu poets.

The joyous song ‘Sakal Ban’ has its roots in the work of Amir Khusrow, and other masters like Ghalib are referenced. Like Rekha in Umrao Jaan, a key character, Alamzeb, is a gifted poetess.

In fact, much of the dialogue feels like poetry itself – Alamzeb promises her betrothed a feast of verses. It’s as if she speaks directly to us, the audience.

The Storyline And Cast

Alamzeb is the daughter of Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala), the influential madam of Shahi Mahal, a renowned brothel in Lahore’s vibrant Heera Mandi.

Her sister, Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari), is a celebrated singer and a cunning spy leading the resistance movement. It’s the 1940s, a time of rising rebellion against British rule.

While self-serving nobles pander to their colonial masters, it’s the courtesans who truly hold the reins. They protect the secrets of powerful men and can even orchestrate their downfall.

Mallikajaan rules her brothel with an iron fist. She’s no loving mother figure – her daughters, the fiery Bibbojaan and the wistful Alamzeb, must address her formally as ‘Hujoor’ or ‘madam’.

Even her own sister, Waheeda, endures constant mistreatment. The only person who dares to speak freely is Lajjo, an embittered, opium-addicted courtesan.

When Fareedan arrives, a mirror image of her deceased mother and fueled by vengeance, this powder keg of a household is ready to explode

The series takes flight with a series of shocking revelations. Mallikajaan, the seemingly untouchable queen, hides a dark past – a terrible crime swept under the rug with the help of the corrupt Zulfikar.

This hidden truth becomes a catalyst for chaos, igniting a fierce rivalry with the cunning courtesan, Fareedan, who infiltrates Heera Mandi with a hidden agenda.

The show’s story centers on Fareedan’s complex plans for revenge and a developing romance between Alamzeb and Tajdar.

However, the series takes too long to connect its various plot threads, making the wait feel tedious despite its beautiful visuals and music.

While highlighting historical figures like the courtesans of Heera Mandi, the show’s attempts to connect their struggles to India’s fight for independence feel heavy-handed and overly sentimental.

Why Heeramandi Is Different?

Both “Gangubai Kathiawadi” (2022) and “Heeramandi” portray women facing societal prejudice.

Gangubai, a champion for sex workers, confronts these attitudes in 1960s Mumbai. Similarly, “Heeramandi” doesn’t shy away from accusations of sex work surrounding its courtesans.

Mallikajaan, a strong leader, defends her community publicly and highlights the cultural significance of kothas.

Even Fareedan, amidst her antagonism, shows a sense of unity and worry for other women in similar situations.

Heeramandi boasts lavish production values and masterful cinematography. Bhansali pays homage to iconic films like Mughal-E-Azam and Pakeezah, even referencing past cinematic portrayals of Devdas.

Fardeen Khan delivers a menacing performance as the nawab. Koirala fully embodies her role, while supporting actresses like Nivedita Bhargava and Jayati Bhatia shine.

Unfortunately, the less-experienced central love interests detract from the overall impact.

Bhansali And His Stunning Set

Heeramandi concludes with Bhansali’s signature stylized drama. The fiery final scene depicts a powerful act of defiance, contrasting starkly with the tragic ending of his previous film Padmaavat.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, renowned for his visually stunning films and dramatic storytelling, has brought his signature style to the streaming world with ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’.

This series explores the lives of courtesans in pre-independence India and boasts an impressive cast led by Sonakshi Sinha and Manisha Koirala. The eight-episode series is now available to watch.

Watch Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar On Netflix

Premiere Date: 2024

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar: Cast & Crew

Genre: Romantic TV Dramas, Political TV Shows, TV Dramas, Hindi-Language TV Shows

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Anuj Sharma, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh

Duration: 8 Episodes

IMDB Rating

5.6/10

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