Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest TV drama, Heeramandi, has started airing on Netflix. It consists of eight episodes.
Heeramandi means diamond bazaar. Although this story is about a market, it is not ordinary.
Of course, Heeramandi is a market where women are sold and rented. According to the story, it is located in the city of Lahore, which is the red light district.
The chain of events unfolded here when India was a British colony. In fact, it was India’s near independence.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is widely regarded as the most colourful film-maker in India. His films can be broadly categorised into general popular films and epic films.
Amongst the generally popular films directed by Sanjay are Kamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Saawariya, and Black.
However, his epic films truly showcase his prowess as a film-maker who goes beyond the boundaries of traditional cinema. These movies are like poems that leave a lasting impression on the heart.
Bhansali’s unique cinematic style is a symphony that blends emotions like sadness, happiness, empathy, lust, hatred, revenge, and love.
Witnessing the beauty and sensuality of his epic films, such as Devdas, Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, and Gangubai Kathiawadi, is truly inspiring.
When watching these movies, one cannot help but think of legends like Satyajit Ray and Akira Kurosawa. In fact, many consider Sanjay Leela Bhansali to be a worthy successor to these two great film-makers.
It is clear that Heeramandi, Bhansali’s latest project, is the newest chapter in his poetic and cinematic journey.
Heeramandi
Heeramandi is a captivating period drama that delves into the dark and hidden reality of people’s lives in pre-independence India.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s exceptional direction has brought this reality to life through vivid and striking visuals that leave a lasting impact.
The film uses a palette of dark and gloomy colours to contrast the grand and opulent mansions of India’s upper class, where the story is set.
As the audience journeys through these grand mansions, they are confronted with the harsh reality of life inside brothels, often hidden from plain sight.
The film offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of the exploitation of women in historical India, leaving the viewers with a bitter aftertaste.
The characters in the film are richly developed and offer multiple perspectives for the audience to identify with.
One may view the story through the eyes of a Nawab, a powerful and wealthy ruler, while another may identify with the rebel, fighting against the oppressive system.
Some may see themselves as the loving lover, while others may feel the anger and frustration of the spiteful avenger.
Regardless of the perspective, Heeramandi is a masterful work of art that offers a unique and thought-provoking journey through the harsh realities of India’s past.
Mallikajaan and Shahi Mahal
In the bustling city of Lahore, a grand mansion serves as the residence of Mallikajaan, the leading courtesan. She is a woman of remarkable power and influence, known to keep the entire city under her control.
However, her reputation precedes her and she is notorious for her cruelty and evil deeds. Despite this, she is a fiercely protective character, willing to do whatever it takes to safeguard her dominion, even if it means sacrificing her own children.
The story of Heeramandi is centred around a unique and fascinating family – a family of prostitutes who have established their domain in Lahore.
The family is headed by the powerful and enigmatic Mallikajaan, who has two daughters – the beautiful and alluring Bibbojaan and the innocent and vulnerable Alamzed.
Mallikajaan’s younger sister, Waheeda, is known for her seductive charms and Mallika’s foster daughter, Lajwanti. The family’s story is one of intrigue, power struggles, and the dark realities of life in the city’s red-light district.
Fareedan
Chief courtesan of Khwabgah and former chief courtesan Rehana’s daughter of Shahi Mahal.
Rehana and Mallikajaan were sisters, but their fate took a cruel turn when Mallikajaan mercilessly killed Rehana. The tragic incident shattered the family, and to make matters worse, Rehana’s daughter, Fareedan, was sold at a tender age.
With Rehana out of the way, Mallikajaan seized the grand Shahi Mahal and started ruling it with an iron fist. Her power and influence were such that even the Nawabs in the city sought her company. She lived a life of luxury and had no fear of anyone.
However, fate had other plans for Mallikajaan. Her past caught up with her when Fareedan, Rehana’s daughter, returned to Heeramandi with a burning desire for revenge.
She knew that Mallikajaan was responsible for her mother’s death and was determined to reclaim the Shahi Mahal that belonged to her family.
Fareedan plotted her revenge carefully, working on subtle conspiracies to overthrow Mallikajaan from her throne.
She takes revenge on Mallikajaan very subtly. First, she seduces Bibbojaan’s patron. After that, Alamzed and Tadjar’s love affair is subtly retaliated by helping.
But in the end, she joins Mallikajaan and the freedom fight. Fareedan transforms after witnessing Alamzed’s lover, Tadjar, brutally killed by Cartwright.
Bibbojaan
Mallikajaan’s eldest daughter is a tawaif known for her exceptional dancing and entertainment skills.
During the Mughal era, tawaifs catered to the nobility of the Indian subcontinent. Unfortunately, many tawaifs had to turn to prostitution due to a lack of opportunities during the British Raj.
Bibbojaan’s patron is the wealthy Nawab Wali Bin Zayed-Al Mohammed. Although she loves him deeply, their relationship does not end in marriage. Instead, Vali fulfils all of Bibbo’s needs while Bibbo fulfils his sexual needs. Vali alone owns Bibbo, and their relationship is complex.
As the freedom fight in India begins, Bibbojaan becomes a part of it. She is a radical character in Heeramandi, innocent yet determined to make a difference.
Bibbojaan secretly supports the movement and ensures that her actions help create a better future for her country.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has done an excellent job of building Bibbojaan’s character, but unfortunately, the story’s weak point also emerges from her character.
The Chief of Police, Samuel Henderson, gives Alastair Cartwright sketches of some terrorists, including Bibbojaan’s clear picture.
Henderson instructs Cartwright to capture these terrorists as soon as possible, but Bibbojaan manages to capture both officers instead.
The officers fail to identify her despite having her clear image, and in the end, Bibbojaan kills Henderson. This is the moment when Heeramandi’s faith is broken.
Alamzeb
Alamzeb is an excellent and innocent young woman who captures the heart of anyone who meets her in Heeramandi.
Her delicate features and doe-like eyes make her look vulnerable, yet her spirit is unbreakable.
She lives with her mother, Mallikajaan, in the Shahi Mahal, a place that resembles a prison more than a home. Mallikajaan has dedicated her life to grooming Alamzeb to become a tawaif and a courtesan who entertains the Nawabs.
However, Alamzeb dreams of a different life where she can be free to love and be loved in return.
She spends her days amidst the joys, sorrows, and sighs of the other young ladies in Shahi Mahal, all expected to please the Nawabs but never considered suitable for marriage.
Alamzeb’s quest for love is challenging, given the restrictions placed on her by her circumstances. She finds love but struggles to find a way to escape the Shahi Mahal and live the life she desires.
Despite the odds, Alamzeb remains determined to find her freedom, but the journey is fraught with danger and obstacles that threaten to crush her spirit.
Nawab Tajdar Baloch
Tajdar was an exceptionally charming and handsome Nawab who captured Alamzeb’s heart from the first meeting. Despite their differences in social status, the two fell deeply in love and began a relationship that defied societal norms.
Tajdar’s name, “rich society,” was a testament to his affluent upbringing. But he was more than just a rich boy – a radical youth who fought tirelessly for freedom. His unyielding passion for justice inspired many, but unfortunately, it also cost him his life.
Tragically, Tajdar’s commitment to the cause of freedom also led to the demise of his relationship with Alamzeb. As he fought for a brighter future for his people, their love slowly faded away until it was nothing more than a distant memory.
Conclusion
The Heeramandi series is a magnificent cinematic masterpiece that artfully captures the audience’s attention with its captivating storytelling and stunning visuals.
It chronicles the bygone era of India, where the wealthy and their dancers lived a life of extravagance and indulgence.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, a creative genius, not only conceptualised the original idea but also produced, directed, edited, and composed the music for the series, showcasing his remarkable talent and dedication to the project.
The show’s most outstanding feature is the exceptional performances by all actors and actresses, who brilliantly bring their characters to life with their remarkable skills and emotional depth.
Manisha Koirala’s portrayal of Mallikajaan, Aditi Rao’s role as Bibbojaan, Sonakshi Sinha’s character as Fareedan, and Sharmin Segal’s performance as Alamzeb are all awe-inspiring, leaving a profound impact on the viewers’ hearts and minds.
Overall, Heeramandi is a cinematic masterpiece that beautifully depicts the harsh realities of the lives of the affluent and their dancers.
Its exceptional performances, captivating storyline, and breathtaking cinematography make it a remarkable creation that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.
