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 program’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.
During the film’s premiere, Bhansali spoke with Lilly Singh about the casting, saying, “Since this was 18 years ago, Rekha ji, Kareena, and Rani Mukerji were there at one point.” Then it changed into still another cast, and yet another. The host was shocked as Bhansali revealed that this was his idea when Heeramandi was ” intended to be a film.” The kingdom of courtesans and nawabs in Heeramandi is set in Lahore just before independence.
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 previously disclosed that he had received an opportunity to appear in Bhansali’s show in an interview with Shan-e-Suhoor of ARY. “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. Following Heeramandi, Bhansali is excited for his upcoming film, Love and War, starring Vicky Kaushal, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir collaborated with the filmmaker on Saawariya, his feature debut, and Alia previously worked with Sanjay on Gangubai Kathiawadi.
