Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut Netflix series, "Heeramandi," dazzles with opulent visuals but occasionally leans into soap opera tropes, somewhat diluting its grandeur.
From start to finish, "Heeramandi" immerses viewers in a world of lavish extravagance. Bhansali seems determined to make us yearn for the cinematic experience even more in his transition to the streaming platform.
In one poignant scene, set in Lahore, a courtesan named Mallikajaan, devastated by fate, weeps by a fireplace, casting precious jewels into the flames. The mansion is cloaked in eerie shadows, contrasting sharply with the lively atmosphere across the courtyard.
This moment, more than any dialogue or storyline, captures the essence of the series with its play of light and shadow.
"Heeramandi" is steeped in poetry, owing to its setting in pre-Independence India. Bhansali's admiration for Sufi and Urdu literature is evident, with references to Amir Khusrow, Ghalib, Mir, Zafar, and Niyazi. The characters themselves often speak in lyrical prose, reminiscent of the dialogues in Bhansali's films.
The character Alamzeb, portrayed by Sharmin Sehgal, is particularly notable, resembling Rekha's role in "Umrao Jaan" (1981) as an aspiring poetess. Alamzeb's dialogue is laden with poetic flair, promising her betrothed, "I will serve you couplets for breakfast and poems for lunch."
Alamzeb is the daughter of Mallikajaan, played by Manisha Koirala, the madam of Shahi Mahal, an elite brothel in Lahore's pleasure district, Heera Mandi. Mallikajaan's other daughter, Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari), doubles as a renowned singer and a spy for the resistance movement against British rule in the 1940s.
While the nawabs curry favor with their colonial masters, it's the courtesans who wield true power, safeguarding secrets and occasionally orchestrating downfall.
"Heeramandi" offers a captivating blend of visual splendor and dramatic intrigue, although its occasional forays into soap opera territory may distract from its overall grandeur.