Bollywood

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Wanted To Work With Pakistani Celebs, This Cast Was Not His First Choice!!

By Gunjan Chaudhary

May 01, 2024

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ has been in the headlines for the last few days as the series is soon going to hit the screens. Fans are eagerly waiting for it, but the wait is almost over as the series will start airing on Netflix from today i.e. 1st May. Recently, the director attended its special screening in Los Angeles. During the event, Bhansali revealed that Pakistani actor Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan were considered for the lead role in ‘Heeramandi’. He also shared that the idea of ‘Heeramandi’ has been in his mind for the last 18 years. During the interview, Bhansali also said that the existing cast of ‘Heeramandi’ was not the first choice.

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, ‘I had many characters in my mind. This idea has been running in my mind for the last 18 years. I was thinking about Rekha ji then I thought about Kareena Kapoor Khan and Rani Mukherjee. This was a film of that time. The names of Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Imran Abbas, and Fawad Khan also came to my mind at one time, but I completed the film with the current cast.’

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Ever since the announcement of the production of ‘Heeramandi’, it has been in the news. Especially because of the stars playing the roles in it. It was officially announced in the year 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This project of Bhansali sparked a debate not only in India but also in Pakistan. Many Pakistani stars said that Pakistani filmmakers should also work on such stories.

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

‘Heeramandi’ will show the world of the British era before independence, where courtesans were once queens. The series will also highlight the untold stories of Heeramandi, the red-light city of Lahore. It is being said that the series will showcase the story of power, love, and freedom. Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Sehgal, Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, and other actors will be seen acting in ‘Heeramandi’.