The first teaser for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historical drama series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” which is directed by Bollywood’s master filmmaker, has been made available on Netflix.
“An epic saga of love, power, revenge, and freedom,” according to Netflix, “promises to be a profound celebration of art, culture, beauty, and Bhansali’s legacy.” The series has been referred to be Bhansali’s “passion project” for the better part of 14 years.
The series is set in the midst of multiple power struggles in Heeramandi, Lahore (now part of Pakistan), and more in general in undivided, pre-independence India, where anti-colonial freedom movements were emerging. The cast includes Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh.
The status quo is upset when a young heir caught in the crossfire decides to follow his love instead of the family line. It also describes the testing of the last thread that holds the art of courtesans, or tawaifs, together.
The show, which is being produced by Bhansali Productions, will be added on Netflix at a later date this year.
In addition to directing his first picture, “Khamoshi: The Musical,” which received positive reviews but did poorly at the box office, Bhansali established his name choreographing the songs for Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1994 film “1942: A Love Story,” which starred Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala. With the 1999 release of “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,” he perfected his formula of rich imagery, intense melodrama, and soaring melody, earning both critical and commercial acclaim. After that, in 2002, he released the initial blockbuster “Devdas,” starring Madhuri Dixit, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai.
The director’s feature film “Love & War,” scheduled for release in 2025, is already under way. Vicky Kaushal will be starring alongside real-life power couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, two Bollywood megastars, as he just confirmed.