“Never Promised History Lesson”: Sonakshi Sinha On Criticism Of ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’
Sonakshi Sinha, who recently featured in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heermandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, has reacted to the web series being called factually incorrect.
Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who has helmed hit films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Black’, ‘Goliyan Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’, and ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, recently made his web series debut with ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’. The show, which has been constantly making headlines, had released on Netflix on May 1. While the series made India proud in 43 countries as it debuted in second place on the ‘Non-English TV List’ with 4.5M views, it has been receiving polarising feedback from the viewers.
The new Netflix series stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh and others. Sonakshi Sinha has now responded to the criticism that the series is receiving, with many calling it factually incorrect.
Talking to ETimes, the Bollywood actress said that those who are criticising the show might be the ones who like ‘Bridgerton’. She also clarified that ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ was not intended to be a “history lesson” but a world of entertainment.
Sonakshi Sinha said, “When did we ever promise a history lesson? These are the same people who will love Bridgerton. Yes, Heeramandi is a place that exists in Lahore, but we never told you we were delving into history. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an artist; he has created a world for you. It’s a fictionalised version of what was and view it as just entertainment. He’s selling you a dream; it’s what he’s known for.”
The Bollywood actress recently took to Instagram and shared several pictures taken during her look test. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, “Here are some photos from my look test for the cruellest of them all… Rehana.”
‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ also stars Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s niece Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan and Adhyayan Suman.
‘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, 'Heeramandi' explores the cultural nuances of the red-light district in Lahore known for its courtesans and their clientele.
The show’s music is helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. For the unversed, the total run-time of the eight-episode ‘Heeramandi’ is seven hours and 19 minutes.
