Heeramandi fails to impress Pakistani viewers

ISLAMABAD: Bollywood’s Netflix series Heeramandi directed by ace Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has failed to impress the audiences in Pakistan.

Set in the 1940s, Heeramandi features Lahore’s brothel. The series shows an elite house of courtesans headed by Malikkajan played by Manisha Koraila. While people are in awe of the opulent set, fancy jewelry, and extravagant attires of the actresses, audiences say they are missing the plot in the series.

Audiences are also unimpressed with the performance and Urdu accents of the performers. Social media is brimmed with negative comments for the series, especially from Pakistan.

Notably, actor Ahmed Ali Butt humorously dubbed the show as “Kheeramandi,” while social media influencer Ken Doll delivered a satirical take on “Heeramandi,” drawing applause from the likes of Mathira and Iqra Aziz.

“Watching #Heeramandi just makes you wonder how beautifully these two gave eternal life to Umrao jan & chandurmukhi, & how stupid these new courtesans of 1940’s look in comparison to them!,” wrote a Pakistani X user.

Another user of X, Hamd Nawaz said: “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.”

A user shared the clip of Iman Ali from Pakistani Bol movie and said, “The makers of #Heeramandi only had to see this one clip from Pakistani movie Bol, and see how Iman Aly nailed that Urdu and then transition to Lahori Punjabi ‘pain day uno mout’.”

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“Honestly, after watching Heeramandi i’ve discovered a newfound respect for Pakistani tv dramas and storytelling,” said sports journalist Roha Nadeem.

Even some Indian viewers are also unimpressed with the series. “Heera mandi is absolutely rubbish. Unreal, plastic, without a soul. Characterisation is poor, editing is terrible, it’s not Lahore. Muslim culture is so stereotypical and use of Urdu is so wrong and poor. Saw the first episode but couldn’t continue with the second.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali says he is influenced by Mughl e Azam but he not even the dust of the feet of KAsif,” said a user from India.

Billed as an epic saga of love, power, revenge and freedom, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar has been the filmmaker’s passion project for 14 years.