Let us review the opulent period drama recently released on Netflix, ‘Heeramandi’. A ‘Magnum Opus’ of sorts, the show opens to a scene of intrigue and treachery within the Kotha, and you are pulled into the narrative right away.
In true Bhansaali style, the luxury, the sheer magnitude, massive sets, picture perfect shot compositions and wonderful music sets the stage for a mega star cast, led by some of the finest actresses of our times.
- Manisha Koirala as Mallikajaan, the Huzoor of Shahi mahal
- Sonakshi Sinha as Rehana, Mallikajaan’s elder sister and then as Rehana’s daughter Fareedan.
- Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbojaan and Mallikajaan’s daughter,
- Sanjeeda Sheikh as Waheeda, Mallikajaan’s younger sister,
- Vasihnavi Ganatra as young Waheeda
- Sharim Sehgal as Alamzeb, Mallikajaan’s younger daughter
- Richa Chadha as Lajwanti, Mallikajaan’s foster daughter
- Taha Shah Badussha as Tajdar Baloch, Alamzeb’s fiancée
- Fareeda Jalal as Qudsia Begum, Tajdar’s grandmother
Amongst several others.
The 8-part series, essays the life of arch nemeses Mallikajaan and Fareedan who are locked in a battle for succession of Heeramandi, where courtesans reign as queens, peppered with intrigue, murders, betrayals, infidelity and more.
All of this clubbed with very volatile concepts of Nationalism, quit India movement, World War-II, the failing idea of Nawabs and the conniving British Sarkaar.
Such a heady mix of circumstances needs a superb script and screenplay that hits home.
The series scores on several points and has picked up beautifully, several nuances of the era such as use of Lahori Punjabi by the servants, even as the courtesans and the nawabs ‘andaaz-e-bayaan’ remains in Urdu.
Take for instance the use of the term “Phatto”, every migrant family who came to India from the undivided Punjab, knows it well!
The use of fountains and mirror-jhallars (hangings) not only adds to the visual appeal but also give us glimpse of how opulent they must have been during those times.
The music is also right up there! at a time, when classical music is dying, Bhansali brings the most popular form of it very successfully. It trasports you to the 19th century.
The characters have been etched out well and not one, will stand out as pure black or white.
The series opens with Sonakshi Sinha, and starting with the first scene itself, she nails it with a powerful scene stealing performance. Throughout the series, she lives and breathes the character, and you live those moments with her as she takes the narrative forward. The only problem is her look. With open hair she looks more like a man decked up, and its only towards the end of the series, when she pulls her hair back that she looks the beautiful woman that we know.
Manisha Koirala is splendid as MalikaJaan, the queen who rules with an iron hand and knows not how to lose. Her role as a willy Huzoor (head Courtesan) to a mother, who feels but does not dither, is attempted wonderfully by her.
But it was Aditi Rao Hydari who steals the show! Man can she act!! She truly outdid herself with a great level of emotion, craft, & finesse. Aditi as Bibbojaan, is a woman of substance with a heart of gold. She’s beautiful, gentle, and strong-willed.
Another character that stands out is that of Waheeda, Malika Jaan’s younger sister played by Sanjeeda Sheikh. Honestly, you will seldom find a character more twisted & complex. She was broken, intense and even funny.
Richa Chaddha’s as Lajwanti, Mallikajaan’s foster daughter, does a phenomenal job, but sadly her character, gets lost somewhere in the story line, why, we ask!
Usdaadji played by Indresh Malik is another piece of great acting. The way he portrays queer characters and his deep understanding in getting into the psyche of the roles he plays is outstanding. His acting in climax, is mesmerising and the show is incomplete without Ustaadji.
Let’s now come to the main protagonists of the film Alamzeb, (Malika’s daughter) & Tajdar Baloch a young educated Nawab.
Bhansali’s niece (younger sister’s daughter) Sharim Sehgal is a disaster as Alamzeb. In the name of emoting, all she does is this half smile, and you are at a loss of word as to how poorly can an actor perform. She is stoic throughout without any emotive variation whatsoever but for the smile that never leaves her face regardless of her being happy, sad, angry or whatever.
You feel bad for Taha Shah who essays the role of Tajdar, who has performed well, but most of his scenes are with Sharim, who you just don’t want to see.
Farida Jalal is wonderful and looks splendid.
Shekhar and his son Adhyayan Suman, have rather small roles and are rather missable.
Coming back to the story line, while it is telling in certain places its confused at others. At several places you feel complete scenes have got missed or perhaps mixed. Take for instance the scene where the inqulabis raid the quila where the English arms and ammunitions need to be stored.
Historically too the story is a little here and there and time jumps and flashbacks are more confusing than pushing forth the story.
Even the handling of the activities of the Baghis and the subsequent British government’s action on them is rather poorly handled.
So, what is the final verdict? Is it a recommend? Yes and highly!! While, the storytelling was not as sharp as it should have been, but it is a must watch because all in all the show transports you into another world, a world that is beautiful, vibrant and alive. The show stays with you even after you have binged on it all night and it for that, that you must watch the opulent saga of the Queens on the Diamond Bazaar.
