Of sex and slang: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's take on Heeramandi is unlike his any other project

The Netflix original will reportedly star Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Manisha Koirala in pivotal roles

There's always an element of extravagance when it comes to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus. Be it Padmaavat or Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Bhansali's grandeur is rather evident in his projects. We expect nothing different from his upcoming web series, Heeramandi. The Netflix original will explore stories of courtesans, the hidden cultural reality of Heera Mandi in Lahore.

It is set to be a series about love, betrayal, succession and politics in the ‘kothas’. Also, the show will have all the trademarks of a Bhansali film including grand sets, elaborate compositions and a plethora of characters.

Previously, the possible cast of Bhansali's take on the life of courtesans made headlines. Heeramandi will star Bollywood actors Sonakshi Sinha alongside Manisha Koirala and Aditi Rao Hydari, according to Bollywood Life. Now, it has been reported that Bhansali's upcoming project will be unlike anything he has previously worked on. As per a report in the aforementioned publication, the web series will be full of sex and slang. 

A source close to the project revealed to the outlet that the ace filmmaker's big-budgeted project will be unlike anything he had previously worked on. Bhansali is said to leave no stone unturned to capture the 'true essence of the reality.'

In his upcoming project for Netflix India’s Tudum Spotlight, the acclaimed filmmaker opened up about the idea behind Heeramandi. Mentioning that it was something his close friend Moin Bag got on to him as a 14-page story, 14 years ago, he said, “Finally 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.”

The award-winning director had previously shared, “Heeramandi is very ambitious, it’s very big and vast. It tells you the story of courtesans. 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.”

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.