'Every frame is a painting': Internet can't get enough of 'Heeramandi'

Praises have poured in for Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha

Netflix's latest series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, has hit the streaming platform with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s own intricate world of courtesans. Igniting a flurry of reactions from viewers across the spectrum, while some have lauded the impeccable acting and enthralling musical numbers, others have raised eyebrows at certain aspects of the show's execution.

One viewer took to social media to praise the performances, stating, “Heeramandi has to be congratulated for its pitch-perfect acting by Richa Chadha and the actor playing Ustad Ji. Manisha Koirala as a flawed madam was outstanding. I liked Sonakshi too. Songs were superb.” However, they also expressed a desire for restraint, cautioning against excessive indulgence in grandeur: “Just wish the director had not overindulged and got carried away by his reputation for grandeur. There's a thing as ‘give me excess of it so the appetite may sicken and so die.’”

#HeeraMandiOnNetflix has to be congratulated for its pitch perfect acting by @RichaChadha & the actor playing Ustad ji
Manisha Koirala as a flawed madam was outstanding.
I liked Sonakshi too.
Songs were superb.
Just wish the director had not over indulged & got carried away by…

— Rana Safvi رعنا राना (@iamrana) May 2, 2024

Another declared, "Bhansali has crafted magic, damn good mind-blowing art, choreography, acting and dialogue delivery. What a treat to watch another masterstroke by the legend Sanjay Leela Bhansali."

Bhansali has crafted magic, damn good #HeeraMandiOnNetflix mind-blowing art choreography acting dialogue delivery, what a treat to watch another masterstroke by legend #SanjayLeelaBhansali @aditiraohydari @Sonakshi @RichaChadha pic.twitter.com/jtOmYEGmKu

— Aaliya Shah (@AaliyaShah1) May 2, 2024

For some, the series struck a chord by shedding light on the struggles of Indian women in history. One viewer remarked, “Normal people watching Heeramandi: 'What a great story and depiction of the true pain Indian women had to endure.’” But for others, the appeal was more aesthetic. One viewer humourously admitted, "Me watching Heeramandi: ‘I want that outfit, and that jewellry set, also I need ghagras!’”

Normal people watching Heeramandi:
“What a great story and depiction of the true pain Indian women had to endure”
Me watching Heeramandi:
“I want that outfit, and that jewelry set, also I need ghagras!” #SanjayLeelaBhansali #Heeramandi #HeeraMandiOnNetflix

— Mariawatcheseverything (@AKHSaboutme) May 1, 2024

Yet, amidst the acclaim, there were dissenting voices. One viewer praised Manisha Koirala's performance but felt the show fell short overall, stating, “Manisha Koirala killed it in Heeramandi. The show, however, not so much.”

#ManishaKoirala killed it in #Heeramandi 🔥

The show however, not so much 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/qJgTKkqXAx

— ANMOL JAMWAL (@jammypants4) May 2, 2024

It wasn't just the performances that captured attention. Moments of poetic intimacy also left an impression. One viewer described a scene involving Alamzeb and Tajdar with vivid emotion: “Alamzeb writing poetry in her journal and Tajdar gently moving her journal/hand towards his chest so she can use it as a flat surface to write on, I am deceased.”

alamzeb writing poetry in her journal and tajdar gently moving her journal/hand towards his chest so she can use it as a flat surface to write on I AM DECEASED #Heeramandi pic.twitter.com/zE9N9fMrTT

— bent-neck lady 🖤 (@mmmaheenmoonpie) May 2, 2024

And of course, the musical compositions garnered their fair share of admiration. A viewer relayed awe at the collaboration between Shreya Ghoshal and Bhansali: “Pure magic of Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir in Chaudhavi Shab. Every frame is a painting. What extraordinary visuals.”

Pure Magic of @shreyaghoshal and #SanjayLeelaBhansali sir ♥️#ChaudhaviShab ♥️
Every frame is Painting ♥️
What an Extraordinary Visuals ❤️#HeeramandiTheDiamondBazaar #Heeramandi pic.twitter.com/iwiK3rvZpW

— SurenSG 🦋 (@surenshreya) May 2, 2024

Waxing lyrical about Bhansali’s enduring artistry, one internet user wrote, “I swear no one does it like this man” while another was all praises for another particular individual: “Sonakshi had just one scene in the first episode and she ate everyone up.”

i swearr NO ONE does it like this man.

| #Heeramandi | pic.twitter.com/scO3KOh3vw

— shyama. (@shripriyaa_) May 1, 2024

Sonakshi had just one scene in the first episode and she ATE everyone up#Heeramandi pic.twitter.com/o6zE1k6Cfp

— 🙃 (@uffyehgehraiyaa) May 1, 2024

Whether it's the performances, the aesthetics, or the narrative, Heeramandi has certainly made its mark on audiences, leaving them eager for more.

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