By: Vibhuti Pathak
Renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his opulent storytelling and visually stunning films, recently revealed an interesting tidbit about his latest project, ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Baazaar’. While the series currently features a stellar Indian cast, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditi Rao Hydari, Bhansali initially had a different vision for the project.
In a surprising revelation, Bhansali disclosed that when he first conceived ‘Heeramandi’, it was intended to be a film rather than a series, and he had Pakistani actors Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan in mind for pivotal roles. Speaking about the casting process during a conversation, Bhansali said, “I had multiple castings in my mind, the idea has been there for 18 years. I thought about Rekhaji and then Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. It was a film back then. I then also thought about Mahira Khan, the Pakistani actress, and Imran Abbas and Fawad Khan were also in my mind at one point in time. But I ended up with this ensemble cast.”
‘Heeramandi’ explores the intricate world of a brothel through an eight-episode series, offering a departure from Bhansali’s usual repertoire. Despite the initial casting considerations, the series features a diverse ensemble cast and is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
