‘Heeramandi’ trailer gives a dazzling peek into Bhansali’s grandeur

After months of eager anticipation, Netflix has finally unveiled the mesmerizing trailer for its highly anticipated original series, ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Market’, directed by the visionary filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Departing from the confines of traditional cinema, ‘Heeramandi’ promises to transport viewers into a realm of opulence, intrigue, and rebellion like never before, marking Bhansali’s remarkable debut in the realm of web series.

Breaking away from the stereotype of Mumbai-based trailer launches, Netflix and Bhansali Productions orchestrated a grand event in Delhi, where the entire stellar cast graced the occasion, albeit without the show’s creator, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, himself. Monika Shergill, Vice-President of Content at Netflix India, and Prerna Singh, CEO of Bhansali Productions, joined the stellar ensemble, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.

‘Heeramandi’ is a seamless extension of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s trademark style, evident in his previous works such as ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, ‘Padmaavat’, and ‘Devdas’. The series boasts grandiose sets, exquisite fineries, and dialogues that transport viewers to a realm beyond the ordinary, captivating fans of the esteemed filmmaker.

Set against the backdrop of pre-independence India, ‘Heeramandi’ delves into the enthralling dynamics of power and passion within the clandestine world of ‘tawaifs’ and ‘nawabs’. The trailer tantalizingly offers a glimpse into a society teetering on the edge of change, where the reverberations of revolution echo through the halls of Heeramandi.

“Heeramandi mein Angrezon ka nahi… Mallikajaan ka sikka chalta hai!” 

The gripping trailer immerses viewers in the scintillating district of Heeramandi, ruled by the formidable Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala), who presides over an elite house of courtesans. However, her reign is threatened with the return of Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha), the daughter of her late nemesis, stirring tensions within the house. Meanwhile, outside the walls of Heeramandi, the city seethes with revolutionary fervour, with characters like Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari) joining the fight for India’s freedom.

As betrayal mounts and forbidden desires clash with societal norms, the struggle for India’s freedom reaches a boiling point. Amidst this turmoil, Mallikajaan and Fareedan engage in an epic battle for the title of the ‘Huzoor’, or the lady of Heeramandi. The stage is set for a gripping narrative of ambition, love, and liberation.

“Azadi woh aakhri gehna hai joh humme har keemat pein chahiye’, Aditi Rai Hydari gathered a lot of applause from the audiences for her dialogues.

During the trailer launch, Monika Shergill, VP, Netflix India, said, “We’re preparing to unveil our grandest endeavor yet: ‘Heeramandi, The Diamond Bazaar’. This series, akin to all of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s exquisite creations, is a work of art, offering a stunning visual experience and a visceral world with unforgettable characters. As his first long format series, Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates an immersive world of powerful and universal emotions that will mesmerize audiences across India and around the globe!” 

Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions, added here, “Regarding the cast, I can just say that we have collected all diamonds from the industry. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, while writing knows what he wants and he always believes in radical casting.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had the story for 14 years

Monika Shergill revealed that Bhansali had been trying to make the show for over a decade. She said, “He (Bhansali) had this story for 14 years. He has lived with these characters for so long. I think somewhere he always felt that he had to have the right medium. It was not getting contained in a film format. It is such an immersive world, it is such a powerful story, you just keep peeling the layers. So, it needed an amazing cinematic format. He wanted to do it in the most perfect way. We are honoured to take ‘Heeramandi’ to the world.”

Reactions of the cast

Along with the audiences, the actors themselves had goosebumps after watching the trailer. Aditi Hydari during the launch said, “I am very overwhelmed and it is quite a surreal feeling after watching it for the first time.”

When asked about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after a gap of 28 years, Manisha Koirala (who had worked with Bhansali in ‘Khamoshi’) said, “I waited 28 years for Sanjay to call me. It has been a pleasure. It was a pleasure back then and it is a pleasure and is an honour to be working with that genius.”

Sonakshi Sinha also thanked the director for giving her such a role to showcase in her journey as an actress. She said, “I feel truly blessed that a director has seen me and presented to the world like nobody has seen me before. My role in ‘Heeramandi’ tops all the roles so far.”

Richa Chadha, who plays Lajjo, a courtesan in the series, said, “I feel this show truly has the potential to travel outside India because in a sense, if you Google Bollywood extravaganza, the first thing that pops up is the creator of the show – Sanjay Leela Bhansali. So, I think it would be a great offering from India to the whole world. It can be like ‘Narcos’ or ‘Squid Game’, which are international series and watched the world over. ‘Heeramandi’ can be a great Indian offering to the world.”

Sanjeeda Sheikh, while speaking about Sanjay Leela Bhansali, said, “In the world of re-takes, he is one of his kind. It is an honour to work with sir. He wants to re-invent with every shot he takes.”

Introducing the Nawabs of Heeramandi

The trailer also introduced the Nawabs of ‘Heeramandi’, including Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, and the father-son duo Shekhar and Adhyayan Suman. Fardeen Khan, making a poignant comeback after a hiatus, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, while Shekhar Suman conveyed his appreciation of Bhansali and Netflix for their contributions to the series. Adhyayan Suman, embodying the character of Zoravar, reflected on the fiery passion encapsulated in his role.