Why veteran Bollywood star Mumtaz refused SLB's 'Heera Mandi'

Actor was allegedly offered a pivotal role that required the screen legend to perform an elaborate Mujra

Bollywood ace director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is readying himself for a herculean task. The filmmaker, known for grandeur and extravagance in his films, is set to work on a Netflix series, based on Lahore's red-light district, Heera Mandi. While there have been several actors who have been rumoured to star in the much-anticipated series, we are yet to see who will bag the roles. 

However, if recent rumours are to be trusted, veteran Bollywood diva Mumtaz was approached for a prominent role in Heera Mandi. The actor has apparently turned down the offer, reported Bollywood Hungama.

“A huge fan of the iconic actress, who regaled us in many blockbusters in the 1960 and 1970s, SLB had approached her, but she is in no mood for a comeback. She has said no to an offer to play a prominent part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s lavish costume drama, Heera Mandi, for Netflix”, an insider told the publication. 

Spilling beans about the role that Mumtaz was offered, the source added that it was a pivotal role that required the screen legend to perform an elaborate Mujra. But Mumtaz declined saying her husband would not like her dancing at her age.

Earlier, Bhansali spoke about his dream project. The Padmaavat director revealed how a 14-page story ended up becoming a Netflix original. “When we presented it to Netflix, they loved it and they thought it had great potential to make a mega-series. It is very ambitious, it’s very big and vast. It tells you the story of courtesans." 

Bhansali added, "They kept music, poetry and dance and the art of living. It shows the politics within the brothels and how to emerge as the winner. It is a difficult one but I hope we come across with flying colours this time.”

Talking about its inception, the celebrated director said, “I remember when I was a four-year-old kid and my father had taken me to a shoot and he said you sit here and I’ll meet my friends and come. I was in the studio and it seemed the most comfortable to me. More than a school, a playground, a cousin’s house, or anywhere in the world, I thought it was the most beautiful place"

He concluded, "When I look back at 25 years, I think it’s very precious to me because you have to be blessed to be able to get a chance to make a film and that’s why I cling to the studio because the studio floor is the most magical, that’s my temple, that’s my everything.”

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