Sanjay Lila Bhansali’s latest period drama, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, on Netflix is earning rave reviews, with a talented star cast including Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hyadri, Richa Chadha, Farida Jalal, and Shekhar Suman, among others. The series, set in the 1920s at Heeramandi in Lahore (undivided India), traverses the lives of a cohort of courtesans. The historical fiction is an original story by writer Moin Beg. Director Bhansali dubs his latest work a tribute to the iconic Mother India (1957), Mughal-e-Aazam (1960), and Pakeezah (1972). The grandeur of the sets and the production design are testaments to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s meticulous craft. However, eagle eyed fans couldn’t help but notice flaws in the production that didn’t bode well with the narrative. A former BBC journalist noticed Fardeen, portrayed by Sonakshi Sinha, engrossed in an Urdu daily of the day. For the unassuming viewer, it adds to the historic charm. For Pervaiz Alam, the gaffe is blasphemous.
Pervaiz remarks on how the newspaper held by Sonakshi’s character reads, “Warangal Municipal Elections: TRS Distributes Tickets!” It further reads, “Launch of a Scheme to Distribute 50,000 Masks by the Youth Congress.” Evidently, this is not from the 1920s or the 1940s. Upon Pervaiz’s challenge to decipher the name of the newspaper from its mast, several users produced the result. ‘Tez Hawa’ but inscribed in reverse on the paper. One user remarked that the newspapers of yore were hand calligraphed and not computerized. Certainly, none were available during that era. Further Pervaiz quips that period shows should deploy language consultants. All criticisms aside, Pervaiz remarks that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s work is magnifique; “he creates spectacle.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic web series Heera Mandi on Netflix is set against the Indian independence/British Raj in Lahore of the 1920s-1940s. Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha) is supposedly reading an Urdu newspaper (EP5). Headlines say, “Warangal Municipal Elections: TRS Distributes… pic.twitter.com/EI44Z61rkt
— Pervaiz Alam (@pervaizalam) May 3, 2024
That’s an interesting observation and, of course, a correct one. Our films must have language consultants readily available on the sets. Probably, some directors do have them. In yesteryears, they used to have language coaches. Today, I’m told, most Bollywood screenplays have…
— Pervaiz Alam (@pervaizalam) May 3, 2024
To be honest, I watch his work with great interest. I love SLB’s grandeur. camera, lighting, choreography, set designs and above all costumes are magnificent. He creates a spectacle!
— Pervaiz Alam (@pervaizalam) May 3, 2024
The newspaper’s name is Tez Hawa, written in reverse and the letters are written separately.
تیز ہوا
ت ی ز ہ و ا
ا و ہ ز ی تUPI can be DMed, dinner can be served online. 😉
— مM (@meMuawwiz) May 3, 2024
Taking a jibe on the production design, Hamd Nawaz, another fan from Pakistan, laments that Heeramandi has everything except Heeramandi. In a series of tweets, the fan urged the showmakers, ‘if you call it Lahore, show Lahore.” The viewer also mentioned that an average Lahori, back in the day did not converse in Urdu but rather in Punjabi. Namaz also slammed Sanjay Leela Bhanasali for going Sabya Sachi on the couture for the show. “Dresses were fancy, but only in performances,” the fan quips. “Uska budget uski marzi,” Namaz wraps up the rant. PS: it could make a great t-shirt quote. Just saying.
Just watched Heeramandi. Found everything but heermandi in it.
I mean either you don’t set your story in 1940’s Lahore, or if you do- you don’t set it in Agra’s landscape, Delhi’s Urdu, Lakhnavi dresses and 1840’s vibe. My not-so-sorry Lahori self can’t really let it go. pic.twitter.com/1O6Iq36SV9
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
To begin with, where exactly is it set? Lake Como? Amalfi Coast? The most evident landmark still visible from every building in today’s remnants of Heera Mandi is the Shahi Qilla-Grand Mosque’s doom and minarets skyline. If you call it Lahore, show Lahore. pic.twitter.com/rR7lVEWW6f
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
Heeramandi spans from Taxali Gate to modern day Phajay kay Paye or Cheet Ram Road. Walk it all- you won’t find a single such courtyard, let alone something this big. Those were multi-storey 5/10 Marla Kothas/Makans at max. The social/financial strata it shows never even existed. pic.twitter.com/2jfvWoUq0H
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
And Language. Bhansali entire mental logic flows like -hmm>>>Heeramandi>>>Lahore>>>Muslims>>>Urdu>>>Garhi Urdu>>>Mughal-e-Azam/Mizra Ghalib Tier Urdu>>>cast Urdu actors?>>>Na, let’s force the language. The catch is, 1940’s average Lahori didn’t even converse in Urdu, but Punjabi.
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
Attires – Bhansali’s search should’ve definitely gone beyond Bridal Couture walks. The courtesan never had the financial security to even remotely afford these jewels. What are these blouses? Saris? Ghagras? Lehngas? Some Punjabi dress maybe? Na, let’s go Sabya Sachi on them. pic.twitter.com/SIIcr42xzX
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
Bhansali was just one google search away from this actual photo of “diamond bazar”. No two-story curtain, no makeup/filler/face-lift/brow-lift, chamka-chamki gota kinari flying around in 2 Kanal courtyard and summer heat. Yes, the dresses were fancy, but only in performances. pic.twitter.com/M1wV5YMwv8
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
Khair, uska budget, uski marzi. I rant as I’ve seen that area, interacted with people around there, spent my clinical rotations in hospitals there and I think its story definitely needs to be told, but only after someone actually comes and visits the area he is bringing to life.
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024
See Also: Richa Chadha Confirms Jewellery In Heeramandi Is Real And Worth As Much As A Film; ‘If I Wear All Of It And Run..’
See Also: Heeramandi Review: Richa Chadha, Manisha Koirala’s Magnetic Performance Wins Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Show
