Heeramandi: All You Need To Know About Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Web Series

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a renowned director in the Hindi film industry. After displaying his artistic talent on the silver screen, the director is now venturing into the realm of OTT platforms. Bhansali’s upcoming web series, ‘Hiramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, has been generating consistent buzz since its announcement.

The unveiling of the Hiramandi teaser unmistakably indicates that this grand series revolves around the lives of courtesans and dancers in Heeramandi Bazaar. For those unfamiliar, Heeramandi is located in Lahore, Pakistan, and is renowned locally as the Red Light District. Additionally, there’s another narrative surrounding this area, which is why it was previously referred to as “Shahi Mohalla”.

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Heeramandi” Cast

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Hiramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ promises a narrative rich in themes of love, power, politics, betrayal, freedom, and inheritance. Featuring prominent actresses such as Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Richa Chadha, and Sharmin Sehgal, the series delves into their roles as courtesans. Comprising 8 episodes, ‘Hiramandi’ is set to debut on Netflix on May 1.

Heeramandi Story

In history, it’s said that Punjab’s final ruler, Ranjit Singh, once governed this area. After him, control of this esteemed locality was assumed by Hira Singh. Hira Singh, described in historical accounts as either a general in Ranjit Singh’s army or his son, led to the area being named Hiramandi.

Some historians propose that Hira Singh chose the name Hiramandi due to the captivating courtesans he encountered. Alternatively, another story suggests that Maharaj Ranjit Singh developed a romantic relationship with a courtesan in this area, although historical records regarding their marriage are unclear.

History Of Courtesans In Heeramandi

Hiramandi was once renowned for its culture and refinement, distinguishing between courtesans and prostitutes. Courtesans, residing in chambers, practiced singing and dancing, captivating Mughals and kings solely with their artistic talents. They were esteemed in society for their craft. However, times changed.

Eventually, the once illustrious locality deteriorated, transforming from a hub of refined courtesan artistry to a center of prostitution. The advent of British rule exacerbated the situation, simplistically labeling courtesans as prostitutes. Consequently, this area descended into obscurity and infamy.

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