Sanjay Leela Bhansali says set for 'Heeramandi' biggest in his career
The grandeur of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s series was seen in the actors who arrived at the premiere, in their royal woven fabrics, including Alia Bhatt, Ananya Pandey, Vicky Kaushal and many others.
By Vibhuti PathakApr 26, 2024
In a star-studded affair in Mumbai, renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali unveiled his much-anticipated debut web series Heeramandi, on Wednesday (24). The event witnessed a glittering ensemble of Bollywood's elite, with the cast of the show gracing the red carpet with elegance and charm.
Amidst the buzz surrounding the premiere, Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself shared insights into the making of "Heeramandi" and its significance in the realm of Indian entertainment.
In an interview, Bhansali reflected on the challenges and triumphs of bringing this epic saga to life, describing it as a profound exploration of love, power, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of freedom against the backdrop of India's historic struggle for independence.
"This is the biggest set I have made in my life where walls have been pushed way beyond what I thought. So, I feel I have started enjoying and understanding more as my filmmaking has progressed," said Bhansali.
In an interview with Architectural Digest India, he said, "There are very few directors who weave architectures in the sets. My art directors, Shubhrot and Amrit get pretified when I start a film, because they are the first people who I show brains up."
Heeramandi boasts an ensemble cast featuring seasoned actors such as Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman, alongside the much-anticipated return of Fardeen Khan to the screen.
With its rich narrative and visually stunning portrayal,just a usual Bhansali production, the series promises to be a captivating journey through the corridors of history, woven together by Bhansali's signature cinematic flair.
Fardeen Khan who was out of an acting career for a long, made a comeback in Heeramandi, Dharmendra's daughter, Esha Deol praised him stating, his performance has singled out Fardeen Khan's performance, hailing it as spectacular.
Among the guests, Genelia Deshmukh and Esha Deol, who had the privilege of viewing the first two episodes, took to social media to express their admiration for the series. The grandeur of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series was seen in the actors who arrived at the premiere, in their royal ensemble and royal woven fabrics, including Alia Bhatt, Ananya Pandey, Vicky Kaushal and many others.
As anticipation builds for the series' release on Netflix, fans and critics alike eagerly await to immerse themselves in the grandeur and emotion of Heeramandi, a testament to Bhansali's unparalleled storytelling prowess and his enduring legacy in Indian cinema.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language period drama television series crafted by the visionary director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The narrative delves into the intricacies of the lives led by tawaifs in the vibrant yet tumultuous red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore, set against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement's struggle against the British Raj.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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