
On Tuesday, Netflix unveiled the much-awaited trailer of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, directed by ace Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The three-minute-long clip takes the audience into the world of courtesans of Heeramandi, an area located in Pakistan's Lahore. The web series is set in pre-independence India and revolves around a beautiful, royal world where love, loss and liberation intertwine.
Bhansali got the idea for the project from Moin Baig more than 14 years ago. However, he couldn't begin working on it due to his past work commitments. Finally, Bhansali is bringing the idea to life with this web series, scheduled to premiere on May 1 on Netflix.
The series' cast includes Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal, Shekhar Suman, and Taha Shah Badussha.
By the looks of the trailer, it seems that Bhansali has once again succeded in bringing his majestic signature flair to the project. Every scene and frame screams opulence and grandeur with actors giving out some of their best performances to turn SLB's vision into reality.
Two songs of the series have already been unveiled by the makers. "Sakal Ban", which is composed by Bhansali, written by Amir Khusro and sung by Raja Hasan, was released on 8 March. The second song from the soundtrack "Tilasmi Bahein", sung by Sharmistha Chatterjee, was released on 2 April.
SLB's last film Gangubai Kathiawadi turned out to be a blockbuster hit so expectations are high for Heeramandi. He directed his first film, Khamoshi: The Musical, in 1996. The film starred Nana Patekar, Salman Khan, Manisha Koirala and Seema Biswas in pivotal roles.
Some of the biggest hits of his career include Devdas, Bajirao Mastani, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Padmaavat, Guzaarish and Rowdy Rathore among others.