Did You Know: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Wanted To Cast THESE Pakistani Actors For 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'
Did you know Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to cast these actors for 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar'.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited OTT debut is finally here as all eight episodes of 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' have arrived on Netflix. The series, starring Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Fardeen Khan and Shekhar Suman, has received mixed reviews from the critics, but as expected, the praise for Bhansali's production design is unanimous. But did you know that Sanjay Leela Bhansali originally wanted to cast Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan for Heeramandi? Yes, you read that right!
The director made the revelation during the Los Angeles premiere of 'Heeramandi'.
“I had multiple castings in my mind, the idea has been there for 18 years. I thought about Rekha ji 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 of time. But I ended up with this ensemble cast," Bhansali told Lily Singh, during the interview.
Earlier, speaking about Heeramandi, Sanjay Bhansali had said, "This is a story of love, power, freedom, and extraordinary women, their desires, and struggles. It marks a new milestone in my journey. In Netflix, we found the ideal partner —- one who not only shares our love for storytelling but also possesses the unparalleled capability to bring our series to the most diverse and global audience imaginable.”
‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ encompasses themes of love, power, vengeance, and liberation.
Set in the era of India's struggle for independence in the 1940s, this Netflix series explores the cultural nuances of Heeramandi, a red-light district in Lahore known for its courtesans and their clientele. The show’s music is helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ also stars Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s niece Sharmin Segal.
