Sanjay Leela Bhansali's highly anticipated streaming debut, 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', released on May 1, is facing backlash for its perceived lack of authenticity in portraying the historical period and location it depicts.
A viewer from Lahore, identified as Hamd Nawaz, expressed disappointment in the show's representation of 1940s Lahore, criticising its depiction of events, locations, and costumes.
Nawaz took to social media platform X to voice her concerns, highlighting discrepancies in the set, soundtrack, dialogues, and casting.
She wrote, "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 (sic)."
She questioned the series' setting, noting inconsistencies with the landscape and cultural elements of Lahore. "To begin with, where exactly is it set? Lake Como? Amalfi Coast? The most evident landmark still visible from every building in today’s remnants of Heera Mandi is the Shahi Qilla-Grand Mosque’s doom and minarets skyline. If you call it Lahore, show Lahore (sic)," she wrote.
Despite acknowledging the filmmaker's artistic liberties, Nawaz suggested that more thorough research into the historical and cultural context would have been beneficial.
'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' explores the lives of courtesans and nawabs in a prominent red-light district of pre-partition India. Starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal, the series has been Bhansali's passion project for 14 years.