Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut web series, is scheduled to launch on Netflix on Wednesday. Bhansali discussed his concept during the big-budget programme’s Los Angeles premiere. He revealed that he had originally planned to make the show as a film starring Rekha, Kareena Kapoor, and Rani Mukerji. The filmmaker claimed that the concept for Heeramandi had been with him for eighteen years, but the film never came to be because the plot was so big.
Talking to Lilly Singh at the premiere, Bhansali shared his thoughts about the casting, and said, “This was 18 years ago so at one point it was Rekha ji, Kareena and Rani Mukerji. Then it changed into another cast, then it changed into another cast.” As the host expressed her shock, Bhansali said that this his idea when Heeramandi was “supposed to be a film.” Heeramandi is set in pre-Independence Lahore, in the world of courtesans and nawabs.
Bhansali revealed that he had considered include Pakistani actors Imran Abbas, Fawad Khan, and Mahira Khan in the project at one point, but “then it all changed.” Imran had said in a previous conversation that he had received an opportunity to be in Bhansali’s show. “I didn’t reject that, but it was shelved at the time,” he remarked. Additionally, Imran disclosed that he received an offer to play Aditya Roy Kapur in Guzaarish.
After the discussion, SLB expressed his satisfaction with the cast, claiming they have finally joined him. Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah, Fardeen Khan, and Shekhar Suman are among the actors who currently star in Heeramandi.
Bhansali revealed in the same discussion that he shot for the show for more than 300 days and that it has been in development for about three years. After Heeramandi, Bhansali is looking forward to his next film, Love and War, which stars Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. Alia has previously worked with Sanjay in Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Ranbir has worked with the director in his debut film Saawariya.
