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Star director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s maiden web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, is now streaming on Netflix in multiple languages. Let’s see how it is.

Story:

The series is set against the Indian independence movement and depicts the lives of tawaifs (courtesans) living in Heeramandi. Shahi Mahal is famous there, and it is controlled by Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala). She has two daughters, Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari) and Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal). Bibbojaan is already a tawaif, and Mallikajaan wants her other daughter, Alamzeb, to become a tawaif. But Alamzeb wishes to be a poet and loves Nawab Tajdar (Taha Shah Badussha). Mallikajaan disapproves of Alamzeb’s choices. On the other hand, Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha) is waiting to take revenge against Mallikajaan. Who is this Fareedan? Why does she want to destroy Maliikajaan and her empire? Did Mallikajaan succeed in making her daughter a courtesan? This is what Heeramandi is about.

Plus Points:

Heeramandi touches upon an unknown chapter in the history of India’s independence. Not many are aware of the fact that courtesans lend their hand in the country’s freedom struggle, and this is the show’s USP.

Manisha Koirala steals the show with her impeccable performance. It is a role that is very tough to portray, but the senior actress is at her absolute best. Manisha Koirala’s performance at a fountain towards the end of the show speaks volumes about her acting prowess. The way Bhansali has designed her character is too good. Sonakshi Sinha is fantastic as the nemesis of Manisha Koirala.

Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chaddha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Taha Shah Badussha are impactful in their respective roles. The last four episodes are engaging, and this is where the story picks up steam.

Minus Points:

Sanjay Leela Bhansali films generally have grand sets and stunning costumes. The same is the case with Heeramandi. Without an iota of doubt, the show looks grand technically, but the narration doesn’t quite pack a punch. The concentration was more on the grandeur, due to which storytelling took a beating. Bhansali’s urge to make every frame look like a painting has, in one way, caused damage to the series.

The initial four episodes are dragged unnecessarily, with nothing much happening plot-wise. There are many scenes that will test the patience levels, and the series is crammed with many subplots that aren’t related to the main plot.

The decision to cast Sharmin Segal for such an important role wasn’t a great one. The young actress could have done a far better job, and there is a lot of room for improvement. Bhansali’s magic is missing in the love track, which is the soul of this historical drama.

Technical Aspects:

The production design is outstanding, and the bygone era is superbly showcased. The makers spent a bomb on the series, which is visible in every frame. Bhansali’s music is soulful, and Benedict Taylor and Naren Chandavarkar’s background score is also good. Sudeep Chatterjee, Mahesh Limaye, Huenstang Mohapatra, and Ragul Dharuman’s cinematography is solid. The costumes and jewelry look easy on the eye.

The VFX works are satisfactory. Bhansali is also the editor, and it would have been much better if Heeramandi had been made as a five-episode series instead of eight. Many scenes are prolonged for no reason, and Bhansali’s direction isn’t great. There are good moments as the show nears its end, but the compelling drama one would expect from Bhansali is missing. However, the director extracted terrific performances from Manisha Koirala and Sonakshi Sinha.

Verdict:

On the whole, Heeramandi showcases an unknown chapter in India’s freedom struggle but the pacing is very slow for the most part. The series has amazing performances from Manisha Koirala and Sonakshi Sinha, and the last four episodes are engaging. Bhansali preferred style over substance, and the initial episodes were stretched for no reason. The inclusion of excessive subplots and more focus on grandeur caused more harm than good. The show has its moments, but the overall experience falls short of being satisfactory.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team