Netflix Heeramandi Review: Sanjay Leela Bhansali encloses cinematic grandeur in 8-EP web series

Netflix’s much-anticipated series Heeramandi has finally arrived on the OTT platform.

The series is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s classic cinematic grandeur, however, enclosed in 8 episodes.

The series which took 14 years to create, opens up with great visuals and compelling performances, set in 1920s pre-partition Lahore.

There is a history between two women of Heeramandi, Mallika Jaan (Manisha Koirala), who is the matriarch of Heeramandi, and the other top courtesan played Sonakshi Sinha (essays the double role of Fareedan/Rehana) and which goes down in 8 episodes clocking between an hour to 50 minutes.

Mallika’s nautch girls Lajjo (Richa Chadha), Waheeda (Sanjeeda Shaikh), Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari) and her very own daughter Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal Mehta), in every possible way, obstruct their rival’s path just like a game of chess.

This series also features equally compelling male characters.

We get to see Tajdar (Taha Shah) who seeks to fight for his love and his country, while Wali Mohammad (Fardeen Khan) is a man who has realised that he is destroyed in love.

And there is a tyrant Cartwright (Jason Shah), who makes every effort to humiliate and break the ego of Heeramandi’s queen Mallika Jaan and her clan.

Meanwhile, there is also a track of independence from British rule and the simmering fire of revolution running parallel to the story of these Heeramandi courtesans.

However, the complex plot gets slightly confusing as it jump-cuts from present to past storylines. So pay close attention even when binge-watching, you can’t miss any references. And the Lahori Punjabi accent is a bit off.

Bansali must be praised for bringing the classic concepts of the beauty of the subcontinent’s woman. A look at the song of the series, featuring Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari) will explain this.

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is currently streaming on Netflix.