How did Heeramandi get its name? The reason behind the movie called by this name; the history of Heeramandi

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How did Heeramandi get its name? The reason behind the movie called by this name; the history of Heeramandi

Nearly fourteen years ago, writer Moin Baig suggested the idea of making Heeramandi, a film about the courtesans of Lahore's Heera Mandi quarter, to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

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February 2, 2024 17:58 IST
How did Heeramandi get its name? The reason behind the movie called by this name; the history of Heeramandi
How did Heeramandi get its name? The reason behind the movie called by this name; the history of Heeramandi

New Delhi: As Sanjay Leela Bhansali has shown his mettle on the big screen, he will enter the realm of over-the-top services. ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,’ an anticipated web series by Bhansali, has been making headlines nonstop since its introduction. With the unveiling of the teaser, interest in this series has skyrocketed.

The teaser shows that the courtesans and dancers of Heera Mandi Bazaar are the inspiration for this epic series. Heera Mandi, often known as the Red Light District, is a popular area in Lahore, Pakistan.

The Story of Heera Mandi

According to history, this was formerly the centre of power for Ranjit Singh, the last king of Punjab. Heera Singh, who is known as Ranjit Singh’s son and leader of Ranjit Singh’s army, succeeded him and assumed control of this royal estate. In honour of him, this location is known as Heera Mandi.

Historians have speculated that Heera Singh might have named the area Heera Mandi in recognition of the stunning courtesans he regarded as precious diamonds. Maharaj Ranjit Singh’s love affair with a local courtesan adds another layer to this tale.

 

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When a courtesan was considered more prestigious than a prostitute, Heera Mandi gained a reputation for its impeccable social graces. Living as entertainers and dancers, courtesans lived in the chambers. Their artistic prowess was enough to captivate the Mughals and other rulers. People used to appreciate their work, but that all changed when the hands of time intervened.

The majesty and magnificence of the regal location eventually shone through. Once a haven for courtesans, this regal location descended into prostitution. The situation in this area was already dire before the British took over. Simply put, they referred to the courtesans as prostitutes. Dark abuses of notoriety have continued to engulf this region ever since.

 

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The Idea of Making the Movie ‘Heeramandi’

Nearly fourteen years ago, writer Moin Baig suggested the idea of making Heeramandi, a film about the courtesans of Lahore’s Heera Mandi quarter, to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The Pakistani city of Lahore is home to Heera Mandi, which translates as Diamond Market in Urdu.

Both Bhansali and Baig were reportedly quite excited when they told the tale to Netflix. Finally, Heeramandi got his series on the courtesans of Lahore right. Their lives took a downturn under the British Raj, and their ruin has haunted the city ever since. That is how Bhansali thought of the title ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.’

The Movie Heeramandi

‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,’ directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will revolve around themes like love, politics, power, betrayal, freedom, and inheritance. Richa Chadha, Sharmin Sehgal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, and Aditi Rao Hydari will all be featured as courtesans in the series. Eight episodes make up Heeramandi, and you can catch them all on Netflix soon.

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