Sanjay Leela Bhansali's new series, 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, stirred up mixed opinions when it premiered. However, it's been a hit on Netflix, landing in the number two spot for non-English language shows in its first week. Many also called out the series for its historical inaccuracies.
The show is set in the 1920s, in Lahore. The series narrates the stories of courtesans in ' ' and their contribution to India's freedom struggle. Now, weeks after the film's release, creator Sanjay Leela Bhansali has opened up about the criticism around the show's inaccuracies.
Talking to Galatta Plus, Bhansali said that his films are a visual experience and are larger-than-life. "In my mind, it was the most romantic place to be in. I come from that world.
I’ve always watched films with pimps and prostitutes around in the theatres. My cinema will always have that dramatic touch and that larger-than-life approach, which is not subtle, which is not delicate, but it is heartfelt. It’ll have the dignity of it being told on the screen because I work on the visual of it.
It has to be worthy of being there because I’m reliving a certain moment of my life, of this life, maybe past life.” ADVERTISEMENT He further added, “I am responsible for giving my audience an experience, and I will give them the fullest of mine. I’m not here to make money, I’m here to make a film.
I’m here to make an experience for you.” Bhansali has made several films on the life of courtesans in the pas.
