Pakistani Viewer Claims Inaccuracies In Bhansali's Heeramandi

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix series "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazar," which made its debut this week, has not only attracted viewers for its storyline and star-studded cast but also sparked controversy over its portrayal of historical authenticity. The series, intended to explore the lives of courtesans in the famed red-light district of Lahore, stars renowned actors such as Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal.

However, shortly after its release, a viewer from Lahore took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the series’ inaccuracies, spanning geography, language, costumes, and more. Through an extensive thread on X (formerly Twitter), the viewer lamented, "I watched the show but could not find ‘Heermandi’ in it. Either you don’t set your story in 1940s Lahore, or if you do, you don’t mix it with Agra’s landscape, Delhi’s Urdu, Lakhnavi dresses, and an 1840s vibe."

Pakistani Viewers Criticise Bhansali's "Heeramandi" For Historical Inaccuracies:

Just watched Heeramandi. Found everything but heermandi in it.

I mean either you don’t set your story in 1940’s Lahore, or if you do- you don’t set it in Agra’s landscape, Delhi’s Urdu, Lakhnavi dresses and 1840’s vibe. My not-so-sorry Lahori self can’t really let it go. pic.twitter.com/1O6Iq36SV9

— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) May 3, 2024

But how do we differentiate between the real Heeramandi and the one shown in Bhansali’s series?Decide for yourself with these 5 more real Heeramandi pictures from Pakistan:

Real-Life Pictures From Heeramandi Shared Onlinr/X

The viewer further critiqued the series for its lack of authentic Lahore landmarks. "If you call it Lahore, show Lahore," the post read, pointing out the visible absence of the iconic Shahi Qilla-Grand Mosque skyline. The user also noted discrepancies in the depiction of local architecture and language, stating that the average Lahori of the 1940s predominantly spoke Punjabi, not Urdu, and lived in modestly sized homes, contrary to the grand courtyards shown in the series.

Also Read: Heeramandi Ending Explained: What Happens To Fareedan In The End?

The portrayal of music and costumes also came under fire. The viewer criticised the choice of music as "sufiana custard," which fails to reflect the musical landscape of 1940s Lahore, which was influenced by the likes of Noor Jahan. The costumes, often an area where Bhansali excels, were described as inaccurately lavish, not reflecting the harsh realities of life in Heeramandi during that era.

Also Read: Heeramandi Casting: Not Lajjo But This Role Was offered To Richa Chadha In The Netflix Series

The Lahore-based viewer suggested that Bhansali's creative liberties went too far, blending elements from his previous projects without adequate research or attention to the specific cultural context of Heeramandi. "Indian cinema has given us masterpieces. Imagine having all this budget and no research," the thread concluded, underscoring a mix of disappointment and a call for greater authenticity in portraying historical narratives.

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