Check out this review of Heeramandi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali brings us an enthralling story in a familiar setting!

So, let’s talk about the Heeramandi review! When you start watching Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest project, the Netflix web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, you can’t help but feel that sense of familiarity. It’s got that classic Bhansali touch, with all the grandeur, drama, and larger-than-life characters we’ve come to expect from him. This is a universe that only Bhansali can create, no one else. This web series has been Bhansali’s pet project for a whopping 18 years, and it’s based on Moin Beg’s novel, with Bhansali himself crafting a detailed screenplay. While it primarily focuses on a group of nautch girls in the red light district of Lahore during pre-independent India, the 8-episode drama goes beyond that. It tackles themes like breaking barriers of prejudice, challenging assumptions, and exploring power dynamics and greed, all while seeking independence in every sense of the word.

Let’s dive into the plot of Heeramandi! The show revolves around six incredible women who may be different from each other, but they share a common background that connects them. At the heart of Heeramandi is Shahi Mahal, a majestic brothel run by Mallikajaan (played by Manisha Koirala), who serves as the madame and matriarch. The story is set in the 1940s, a time when Nawabs financially support these brothels, with each having a nautch girl reserved for their daily entertainment, while their wives lead lonely lives in their palaces. Mallikajaan holds significant power in Heeramandi and Shahi Mahal. Her two daughters, Bibbojaan (played by Aditi Rao Hydari) and Alamzeb (played by Sharmin Sehgal), love their mother but have no interest in carrying on her legacy. Bibbojaan secretly participates in the independence struggle, providing crucial information about the British to the rebels, while Alamzeb, a poetess, dreams of leaving Shahi Mahal to marry her true love. Mallikajaan also acts as a foster mother to Lajjo (played by Richa Chadha), a tragic figure who is always consumed by grief and intoxication due to unrequited love. Mallikajaan’s younger sister, Waheedan (played by Sanjeeda), despises her and blames her for ruining her life and taking what she believes is rightfully hers. Amidst all these complex relationships, Mallikajaan manages to run a thriving brothel. However, her biggest threat comes from Fareedan (played by Sonakshi Sinha), who is determined to seize control of Shahi Mahal and Mallikajaan’s position of power. As the politics and power struggle intensify in the alleys of Heeramandi, there’s so much more to discover in this captivating story!

Heeramandi takes us back to a time when noble folks would send their sons to these brothels to learn proper manners and appreciate art before venturing into the real world. It was a period when the nautch girls proudly paraded the streets, exuding confidence in their beauty, talent, and their ability to captivate even the most influential men. Bhansali’s captivating screenplay intricately weaves a tale of power, greed, lust, and love, where these women may not have the privilege to marry the nawabs and have families of their own, yet they hold a mesmerizing control over them with their allure and charm. To them, the women in the brothels are not just companions but also sisters, mothers, nieces, and confidants – they are family. Bhansali’s screenplay delves deep into each character, providing them with rich backstories. There are multiple storylines, including a mother seeking vengeance for her infant’s disappearance, an aspiring poetess reluctantly falling for a rebel, a daughter yearning to avenge her mother’s death, a lover who never received the love she desired, a rebel whose heart beats only for the freedom of her beloved country, and a sister who has long awaited what rightfully belongs to her but has faced countless failures. Each character carries their own tragic tale, beautifully interwoven into the main narrative. Now, let’s move on to the familiar premise of the film. As it’s a Bhansali project, you can expect a world that’s enchanting and luxurious. The familiar elements of his style are all there – the women often portrayed with disheveled yet mesmerizing hair, always looking ethereal regardless of the emotions they’re experiencing. They reside in grand kothas and perform in magnificent courtyards adorned with ever-flowing fountains. I must say, on many occasions, I was left in awe.

The performances in Heeramandi are truly remarkable, especially from the leading ladies. Sonakshi Sinha has really found her groove in the digital space, stepping away from those cringe-worthy masala movies. Her portrayal of Fareedan, the cunning and sharp character, is an absolute delight to watch. We’ve seen her deliver a completely different performance in last year’s critically acclaimed Dahaad, and in Heeramandi, she showcases her versatility as an actor and doesn’t disappoint. Joining her is Manisha Koirala, who brings a commanding presence to the screen as the menacing and controlling Mallika Jaan, for whom power surpasses any familial bonds. It’s been two decades since Koirala and Bhansali last collaborated in Khamoshi, and their reunion in Heeramandi is a treat. Koirala truly leads the pack in this series, driving the detailed story forward with her credible performance. Sanjeeda Sheikh and Richa Chadha also leave a lasting impact with their tragic characters, despite having limited screen time. However, the weakest link in the story is Sharmin Sehgal, who, being the youngest of the group, shows some inexperience in her performance. Unfortunately, her portrayal of Alambeg fails to make the desired impact, even though her character has a solid storyline. Amongst the male cast, including Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, Taha Shah, and Adhyayan Suman, their roles mainly serve to support the story of the six women. They come and go throughout the series, with limited screen time. Taha Shah, in particular, stands out with his portrayal of Taj, delivering an earnest performance.

While the story keeps you hooked and has a compelling narrative, the ending feels a bit rushed. For about six episodes, the focus is on the women and their internal politics. However, in the last two episodes, the story abruptly shifts its focus to the independence struggle. Some characters are involved in the freedom movement from the beginning, but the transformation of the rest of the characters feels sudden and out of place. This makes the overall story feel a bit hollow. If Bhansali had stuck to the story of revenge and greed, Heeramandi might have had a more lasting impact. Instead, it tries to incorporate too many elements into one plot and attempts to be “woke,” especially in the last scene, which ultimately detracts from the original purpose of portraying the women shunned by society. Nonetheless, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is still an engaging watch. It features good music by Bhansali himself, stunning visuals, and compelling performances by most of the actors. Just keep in mind that Bhansali takes his time to unravel each character and their individual stories, creating a captivating world that’s hard to ignore. So, sit back, be patient, and enjoy the magical world that Bhansali invites you into. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is currently streaming on Netflix.