 "How the real Heeramandi was different from Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Netflix's grand show; see pictures")
Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Netflix’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, which premiered on the OTT giant on 1st May, received rave reviews across the globe. Apart from its direction, music and performances, the web series also garnered appreciation for its larger-than-life sets, which turned out to be a visual spectacle for the viewers. But how much is it different from the real world of the Heeramandi?
It’s said Heedamandi was established under the supervision of Hira Singh Dogra, the Prime Minister of the Sikh Kingdom of Lahore. The world of Heeramandi originated in the Mughal Era and despite the narrowness of the lanes, was a world of its own. It was as magical and melancholic as it was messy and filled with morose.
The Tawaifs were trained musicians and artists and enthralled the upper echelons of the society with their aura, gorgeousness, and tenacity.
Today, Heeramandi has become a bustling area in Lahore. But it’s more than just a den for sex and flesh trade. It’s a world that continues to possess rich heritage and history.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali' s gaze at this sprawling and remorseful world is as exquisitely crafted as it’s steeped in pain and anguish. The filmmaker’s vision knows no bounds.
He prepares an ensemble of actors and puts them in a fictional and real setting that’s brimming with opulence and every frame oozes grandeur.
Even the pathos of the people he writes for his piece of art has to look spectacular. His vision is far removed from the stench of the lanes the real people inhabited. It’s both invigorating and immersive.
Heeramandi is being called out for its unrealistic approach towards the plight of the courtesans, but Bhansali always chooses lusciousness over logic. He wants to sweep us off our feet with his gargantuan approach to his creations.
It’s being said there would be season two as well, and it’s impossible not to think about how grand the filmmaker’s vision for part two will be.
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