Sanjay Leela Bhansali, regarded as one of the best filmmakers in India, has come up with an epic drama series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, which premiered on Netflix on May 1.
The show, set in pre-Independence India, is based on the lives of courtesans in the red light district of Lahore’s Heera Mandi.
Netflix describes the eight-episode drama as “an epic saga of love, power, revenge and freedom”, and a “passion project” that Bhansali has worked on for some 14 years.
Starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Aditi Rao Hydari and Sharmin Segal Mehta, the series also marks the return of Fardeen Khan.
Bhansali’s pet project is based on Moin Beg’s novel and focuses on a group of women – each with rather distinct personalities – in an era where Nawabs fund brothels, each having a nautch girl reserved for their daily entertainment, even as their wives lead lonely lives in their palaces.
The screenplay is detailed and patient, with each female character having a tragic back story that ultimately weaves itself into the main plot.
As Bhansali spins an intricate tale of power, greed, lust and love, he also understands that there are only shades of grey to every story; nothing is completely black or completely white.
The familiar elements of a Bhansali film are present – the grandeur, the drama and opulent sets, all amid a universe that only Bhansali – best known for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002) and acclaimed for his use of aesthetics, musical vision and period dramas – can create.
The show also has some terrific performances from its leading ladies.
As a review on wionews.com puts it, Sonakshi Sinha, who plays the calculative and conniving Fareedan, is a delight to watch as she shows her versatility as an actor.
Complementing her is Manisha Koirala who adopts a deep baritone to play the menacing, controlling Mallika Jaan for whom power is above all kinds of familial bonding.
Koirala and Bhansali collaborate after two long decades since their last outing Khamoshi, which launched the director’s career back in 1996.
According to livemint.com, many netizens have been effusive in their praise of the series, calling Heeramandi a masterclass on camera movement and mise-en-scene.
One netizen, Aayush Sharma, wrote: “Heeramandi is a mesmerizing saga that pays homage to the unsung heroes of history. Bhansali ensures that his narrative reaches a wider audience while maintaining his signature cinematic flair. Manisha Koirala and Aditi Rao Hydari steal the show.”
However, there were few who found the show a bit of a snooze fest, undoubtedly because of the slow pacing.
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra took to X and wrote: “Could anyone get past the first 15 minutes of #Heeramandi? I mean, great sets, but two songs within 15 mins and no plot in sight.”
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is streaming on Netflix.
