Heeramandi review – The show immediately transports you to a fantastic Mughal representation of spacious mansions, intricate costumes and dreamlike lighting. Beyond the elaborate, maximalist world-building, I found myself deeply immersed in this world and yet not constantly engaged. I was looking for a story that didn’t quite take off. This could have been a story that changed the narrative when we look back at the history of Heeramandi.
The creative direction gets its due, but there were too many things that didn’t work and for an audience looking for a story, it’s not so easy to be distracted by the “dreamlike.” Watching the series was meant to be a portal to Heeramandi’s past and yet it fell short. Of course, historical fiction has room for liberties, creative direction, aesthetic changes & more, but at its core, the show lacks storytelling. Initially, the plot sets us up for introspection into the lives of the tawaifs of Heeramandi, which veers into a Ram-Leela-level love story and turns into a Devdas-style revolution.
the women of Heeramandi carry the narrative (minus our nepo baby Sharmin Segal who plays Alamzeb). Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala) resides as Huzoor (Madam) of Shahi Mahal; she would live and die for the women of Heeramandi. She is fierce, relentless & unforgiving; her performance carries the show.
Heeramandi review
Bibojaan (played by Aditi Rao Hydari), Mallikajaan’s daughter, is a rebel passionate about revolution. Her beauty resonates on screen, and while the eyebrow-raising is jarring, her character arc is one she could get behind. From her revered mujras to her nighttime escapades with revolutionaries, Bibojaan becomes the heroine of this story.
we have Fareedan (daughter of Rehana, who was killed by Mallikajaan). Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha) is fierce, and tough and seeks to avenge her mother’s death, destroy Mallika and take control of Shahi Mahal. Her growth throughout the episodes was expansive and she cultivated the camaraderie that always creates a happy ending. She dominates the screen, her sharp eyebrows and thirst for power sparking the story.Heeramandi review
Historically, Heeramandi was a place that taught artistic skills. Here is a community of women who carry art, and dance music. Here is a community of women known as the Queens of Lahore: they are guardians of the craft, revered guardians of refined manners, and their goal is to pass on their knowledge.Heeramandi review
Women were empowered to make their own decisions and only after the start of the British Raj, when the Nawab culture was overthrown, did Heeramandi become a home for sex workers. It was a crucial point of cultural heritage, where people came to appreciate and learn the power of dance, music and poetry.Heeramandi review