Heeramandi reviews
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's new Netflix series, 'Heeramandi', is here. The show stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Fardeen Khan among others. Read our full review of the series.
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Heeramandi reviews |
In Short
- 'Heeramandi', an ongoing series about 1920s nautch females, took 14 years to create.
- Manisha Koirala shines as Mallika Jaan, the matriarch of Heeramandi
- Read our complete review of the Netflix series here
Sanjay Leela Bhansali spent 14 years making Heeramandi. So, please don’t blame the filmmaker for giving himself the creative license to let loose and go all out to create this world of nautch girls and their coterie. With eight episodes each one clocking anywhere between an hour to 50 minutes, Heeramandi will reward those who are patient enough to stay focused through the multitude of storylines and characters thrown at us.
The tale is set in the 1920s and revolves around Heeramandi and the women who possess the enormous building's nooks and corners. Despite the congestion and confusion, there is a system and hierarchy in place. Mallika Jaan (Manisha Koirala) is the matriarch of Heeramandi. She is the queen bee, and the others compete for her attention.
Mallika Jaan is not to be taken lightly, as Bhansali makes clear in the opening episode. Mallika Jaan's persona comes to life thanks to one of Manisha Koirala's career-best performances, which are raw, unfiltered, and honest, as well as fiercely protective of her clique. She completely surrenders to Bhansali's vision and flawlessly executes every beat. She has one of the best-written character arcs among women, and she shines as brightly as the diamonds in her earrings.
Fareedan/Rehana, played by Sonakshi Sinha, is Mallika's antagonist. There is a history between these two women and scores have to be settled. But the task isn’t easy. Mallika's nautch girls Lajjo (Richa Chadha), Waheeda (Sanjeeda Shaikh), Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari), and her own daughter Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal Mehta) all stand in her way. These women are pursuing their aspirations with zeal, almost like chess players. Some want vengeance, others crave the attention of an alienated lover, while still others wish to change their fate.
Bhansali has a knack for painting his men in equally interesting shades as his women. In Heeramandi, the men too have battles to fight. Tajdar (Taha Shah) fights for his love and his country, whilst Wali Mohammad (Fardeen Khan) understands he has been wrecked by love. Bhansali's men are also tyrants, such as Cartwright (Jason Shah), who goes to great lengths to humiliate and demoralize Mallika Jaan and her kin.
Heeramandi is mounted on a huge scale. The journey of these women's liberation from British domination and the raging flame of revolution run parallel to each other. When the characters are split between the two, Bhansali's weakest moments and lowest points in the series occur, a case of overambition. The pacing of the series is another problem. Some scenes feel over-indulgent, and the jump cuts from present to past storylines get slightly confusing.
Heeramandi is an actor's dream, a performance-driven series. Richa Chaddha's Lajjo charms you with her rawness, while Sanjeeda's scar-laced performance is full of emotion. Aditi seemed to be tailor-made for this role. Her ethereal beauty enhances her character's honesty. Sonakshi establishes herself early in the series. She's an incredible delight. Jayati Bhatia and Nivedita Bhargava are excellent as Mallika Jaan's sidekicks, Satto and Phatto.
Bhansali is known to be a taskmaster. He doesn’t settle for less. His films reflect his enthusiasm and craziness for filmmaking. Heeramandi's pages will be preserved in his luxurious and star-studded environment for future generations. It might not be his best work, but at a time when VFX and remakes are taking precedence, it’s worth applauding a filmmaker who hasn’t succumbed to the pressures of conforming to the norm.
Here are some viewers' reactions to the series
Rakesh Yadav wrote, "#Heeramandi is all things beauty. How can it not be when it’s #SanjayLeelaBhansali’s master project? But, it’s not #GangubaiKathiawadi. Whether it’s power, betrayal, love, rebellion, or beauty - Gangubai will always be his best."
#Heeramandi is all things beauty. How can it not be when it’s #SanjayLeelaBhansali’s master project?But, it’s not #GangubaiKathiawadi. If it’s power, betrayal, love, rebellion and beauty - Gangubai will be always be his best. #HeeraMandiOnNetflix #HeeramandiReview #Netflix pic.twitter.com/O06L9ErSeW
— Rakesh yadav (@Rakeshyadav0022) May 1, 2024
Another social media user commented, "#Heeramandi is a Historical Drama, It's Magnificent, Magical & Masterpiece. Grand Sets, Wow Costumes, Great performances & Superb Direction. The screenplay could have been better. sometimes It's stretched but worth watching. "
#HeeramandiReview - ⭐️⭐️⭐️#Heeramandi is a Historical Drama, It's Magnificent, Magical & Masterpiece. Grand Sets, Wow Costumes, Great performances & Superb Direction. Screenplay could have been better. sometimes It's stretched but worth watch. #HeeraMandiOnNetflix pic.twitter.com/RYYgqfnhMx
— Neetu Kumar (@neetukumar02) May 1, 2024
