Sanjay Leela Bhansali Responds To Charges Of Historical Inaccuracies In Heeramandi: 'My Work Is Not Rooted In Reality...'

In a recent interaction, Sanjay Leela Bhansali spoke about his process, details, and responded on charges of historical inaccuracies in his recently released Netflix series 'Heeramandi'. 

In a recent interaction, Sanjay Leela Bhansali spoke about his process, details, and responded on charges of historical inaccuracies in his recently released Netflix series 'Heeramandi'. 

Source : IMDb

New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali is receiving a lot of appreciation for his recently released Netflix series 'Heeramandi'. In a recent interaction with Bollywood Hungama, he spoke about his process, particularly about details, and responded on charges of historical inaccuracies in his recently released Netflix series 'Heeramandi'. 

Talking about the women of 'Heeramandi' who had survived no matter the odds, and not just the glamour of that world, Bhansali said he tried to show the pauses, the silences and the sufferings of each othe characters and not just their beauties. Bhansali also threw light on the 'trapped women' metaphor where major portagonists in his films like Mastani or Gangubai are trapped by their beauty, or used for their beauties.

Historical inaccuracies in Heeramandi

‘Heeramandi’ has also been charged with historical inaccuracies. Bhansali shed light on the same and told the publication, "My work is not supposed to be seen as if it is rooted in reality or is a documentary on Lahore or Heeramandi. It's an impression of Lahore. It's an impression of Heeramandi. It's an impression of courtesans living that life. 

"I cannot understand how it can be realitistic because I have not lived in the era. I have not seen that world. I cannot talk about it because Heeramandi today is different from the way it was in the 30s and 20s. So, when you're creating a work of fiction, it is just to create an experience for you to say what those women went through. And, that is the joy of making... I like to create an atmosphere or an impression of what I perceived that time to be,” Bhansali added.

“These women fought for freedom. They were all trapped. Gangubai was trapped, Mastani was trapped. Women who are used for their beauty, for their bodies and have to survive because of that are the ones who want to escape that lack of dignity. And, lack of dignity is the worst punishment granted to a human being..." he added.

‘Heeramandi’ stars an ensemble cast of women actors like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha and Sanjeeda Shaikh, and is currently streaming on Netflix.