Whenever filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali comes up with a project, it remains in the news for many reasons. This time he is in the headlines of the web series Hiramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Author Moin Baig had given Sanjay Leela Bhansali the idea of making a film about the Hiramandi area in Lahore 14 years ago. However, he couldn’t make a film about it at that time because he was busy with other scripts.
After years, Sanjay Leela Bhansali now comes with a web series on Hiramandi. Hiramandi: The diamond bazaar is much discussed. The release date was also recently announced. In such a situation, let us know what is the real story of Hiramandi.
According to reports, the history of Hiramandi is 450 years old. Hiramandi is an area in the Pakistani city of Lahore. It is also known as “Shahi Mohalla”. According to Dailyo, this area emerged during the Mughal period. At that time, women from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan came here and danced classical dances and sang songs. From then on it became associated with art. This area was an art center during the Mughal era in the 15th and 16th centuries.
However, after Ahmed Shah Abdali’s attack, this area turned into a red light area. Brothels were built here during the British Raj and it gradually became a center for prostitution.
Heeramandi literally means diamond market but has nothing to do with the diamond market. According to BBC Urdu, Lahore was ruled by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1799. At the same time, Hiramandi was named after Heera Singh, diwan of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He had set up a grain market here. After that it was called Heera Di Mandi and then Hiramandi.
During the reign of Akbar, Hiramandi was called “Shahi Mohalla”. Many brothels here date back to the Mughal era.
Speaking to BBC Urdu, Professor Tripurari Sharma said, “During the Mughal period, families of rich people lived in these areas.” His programs lived in royal palaces. The brothel was then called a center for the arts, where dance, singing, etc. were taught. Women here used to call themselves actresses. People also used to come here to learn high-level conversation.
Pakistani writer Fauzia Saeed has also written about Hiramandi in her book “Tebo: The Haddon Culture of a Red Light Area”. The author said, “The only thing we think of him is that he was just a sex worker.” I used to think the same thing too, but when I went there and saw it, I was shocked because it was the center of literature. Hiramandi has produced well-known writers, poets and artists.
We tell you that Hiramandi will be streaming from May 1st. It will be available to watch on OTT platform Netflix. The release date of the web series was announced through a drone light show at an event at Mahalaxmi Race Course in South Mumbai. Sanjay Leela Bhansali will make his digital debut through Heeramandi. The fans are very excited about the web series.
Many popular faces will be seen in this web series. The cast will feature actresses like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Sehgal, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Aditi Rao Hydari showcasing their acting and dancing skills. Many posters of the web series have been released.
The first looks of the actresses were also revealed. All the actresses were seen in traditional attire. With this, her first song “Sakal Ban” was released. The actresses have given a glimpse of classical dance in Sakal Ban.
Hiramandi is one of the special projects of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Sanjay had said, “This is the first such epic web series based on the courtesans of Lahore.” This is an ambitious, grand series, so I am both nervous and excited to do it. I’m excited about our partnership with Netflix and excited to bring Heeramandi to audiences around the world. The show’s story is about love, betrayal, legacy and politics in the chambers.
He had said, “I’ve made big films, I enjoy making big films.” But by switching to digital, I took it a step further. Hiramandi is my biggest project. I want to make it something very special and I even surprised myself. This isn’t just a series, it’s a world and I’m excited for people around the world to be able to fully immerse themselves in it.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his music, classical dance and lavish film sets. Everything in his films is shot on a grand scale. From the outfit jewelry to the details of the set, Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself is involved in everything. He has made films like Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Black, Saawariya, Guzaarish, Bajirao Mastani, Padmavat, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela. His films are both controversial and controversial because of their content. It is also creating a lot of buzz at the box office. His film Gangubai Kathiawadi was released recently. Alia Bhatt was seen in this film.
