Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali unveiled the cast and first look of his upcoming Netflix series ‘Heeramandi,’ his most ambitious project to date. In conversation with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, Bhansali spoke about the upcoming collaboration and his 2022 blockbuster ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi.’ He revealed that everyone had advised him not to make the movie saying it would not appeal to audiences.
Starring Alia Bhatt as the lead character, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ featured the actor as a young woman from Gujarat who is sold into prostitution in the Kamathipura red light district of Mumbai. She eventually rises to become the brothel madam and represents the district to protect the rights of the other prostitutes. The film also starred Ajay Devgn, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa and Jim Sarbh.
The filmmaker on a panel with Sarandos said, "People told me not to make Gangubai. It's a female-centric film, it's a female protagonist. In India, they do not got a female-[led] subject. The box office has never worked. She's playing a sex worker and then there's no hero. All the tick marks you would put to understand the audience and the scenario, I have ticked all the wrong boxes. But it worked. That's the belief.”
The film was announced in 2019 and eventually got delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ajay, who had worked with Sanjay, had a special appearance in the film as gangster Rahim Lala.
After premiering at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi' was released in theatres on February 25, 2022. Alia's performance was lauded by fans and critics and the film earned over ₹150 crore at the domestic box office. Sanjay also composed the movie's score; songs like ‘Meri Jaan’ and ‘Dholida’ were praised for the music and their choreography.
Meanwhile, his period drama ‘Heeramandi’ boasts of a stellar cast, including Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal. Set in Lahore, the series follows the lives of the courtesans of that era. The series will be out on the streaming platform sometime this year.
