The long-awaited moment has arrived with the unveiling of the much-anticipated series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar on May 1. This event signifies a notable milestone in the professional journey of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali as he steps into the realm of OTT platforms. The series boasts a diverse cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Sharmin Segal, along with Taha Shah, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, and Farida Jalal playing crucial roles.
A special screening of the series took place in Mumbai, attended by prominent figures like Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. A video clip capturing their reactions to the show has surfaced, shared by Netflix India, featuring insights from various luminaries within the entertainment industry.
Alia Bhatt, who has collaborated with Bhansali on previous projects like Gangubai Kathiawadi and is set to join forces with him again in Love & War, expressed her eagerness for the series, mentioning her anticipation since first hearing about his involvement. She lauded the opportunity for global viewers to witness Bhansali’s craftsmanship on Netflix. Vicky Kaushal, also slated to star in Love & War, commended Bhansali’s unparalleled talent in world-building.
Celebrities like Vijay Varma hailed Heeramandi as a “magnificent drama,” while Shantanu Maheshwari, who collaborated with Bhansali on Gangubai Kathiawadi, praised the director’s ability to extract excellence from his performers, a unique attribute attributed solely to Bhansali. Wamiqa Gabbi encapsulated the period drama in one word, describing it as “sparkly,” emphasizing the essence of Bhansali’s grand cinematic style within the characters and narratives.
Sayani Gupta expressed adoration for the show, describing it as “beautiful,” while Sharman Joshi labeled it as “absolutely magical.” Ankita Lokhande and Adah Sharma were equally captivated, with Lokhande deeming it “fantastic” and Sharma dubbing it “larger than life.”
Shweta Tripathi and Mini Mathur showered accolades upon the series, with Mathur expressing a sentiment of belonging to the wrong era. Zayed Khan was awestruck by the grandeur of the show, attributing its success to Bhansali’s masterful direction. Tanishaa Mukerji praised the visuals and drama as “phenomenal,” while Rohit Roy hailed it as India’s formidable response to global epics.
Actor Siddharth, Aditi’s fiance, took to Instagram to share a snapshot from the series featuring his partner, expressing gratitude for Bhansali’s artistic vision. He described it as a work of love and liberation, set in a bygone era, with imagery that enchants the heart and music and poetry that stir the soul. He extended love and congratulations to the entire team, acknowledging the influence of legendary filmmaker K Asif.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar offers a peek into the captivating world of courtesans, comprising eight episodes that have garnered acclaim from both critics and viewers alike. All episodes are now available for streaming on Netflix.
