Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the creator of the Netflix series ‘Heeramandi,’ often portrays courtesans or sex workers in his films. From Madhuri Dixit in ‘Devdas’ to Alia Bhatt in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi,’ and now Mallika Jaan, Fareedan, and others in ‘Heeramandi,’ this consistent theme highlights Bhansali’s deep interest in these intriguing female characters.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s infatuation with courtesans
In a recent conversation with Galatta Plus, Bhansali discussed his profound fascination with depicting courtesans in his movies. “I believe these women possess a great deal of enigma and mystery. The courtesan, the tawaif, or the prostitute… they are unique. Yet, they always exhibit a certain kind of power that I find incredibly captivating,” he remarked. “I find it intriguing how these women are so compelling. They sing, dance, and convey their emotions—both joy and sorrow—through music and dance. They have a profound understanding of the art of living, the significance of architecture, the use of fabric, and the jewelry they adorn themselves with. They are true art connoisseurs,” he added.
“Middle-class homemakers do not Intrest me.”
Bhansali discussed his creative perspective and personal inspirations, stating, “What are we? We are artists. Call it intellect, call it theatrics… call it what you will. That’s what I need. I have to create something unique. As a child, the people who would pass by… those faces intrigued me. Whatever you might call them. When I went to school, those four middle-class women didn’t capture my interest.”
The director also recognized the impact of legendary actresses and filmmakers on his creations. He mentioned Madhubala in ‘Mughal-E-Azam’ and Nargis Dutt in ‘Adaalat’ as major inspirations. Furthermore, Bhansali stated that he was deeply moved by the works of V Shantaram and Ritwik Ghatak’s ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara.’
IN Heramandi
In ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali delves into the lives of tawaifs in Lahore’s Heera Mandi during the era of India’s independence movement. The series features an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Sehgal, among others.
