Heeramandi's budget: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' has become the most-viewed Indian show on Netflix. The show, released on May 1, stars an ensemble cast of Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Shermin Sehgal, Fardeen Khan among others. The director had wanted to make Heeramandi as a film for 18 years but was not able to do it because of budget constraints until Netflix finally gave the green signal to the project and it was made as a series. The show, being talked about opulence and grandeur, reportedly had a budget of Rs 200 crore.
Heeramandi's budget and cast remuneration
According to a report in Money Control, the show’s budget was Rs 200 crore and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali reportedly charged around Rs 60-70 crore for his role in the series.
Sonakshi Sinha
According to Money Control, Sonakshi was the highest-paid actor in the show and received Rs 2 crore for her role as Fareedan and Rehana.
Manisha Koirala
Manisha, who played Mallikajaan, charged Rs 1 crore for the series.
Aditi Rao Hydari
As per the report, Aditi got somewhere between Rs 1 to 1.5 crore for portraying Mallikajaan's elder daughter Bibbojaan.
Richa Chadha
Richa, who played Lajwanti aka Lajjo, got Rs 1 crore for the series.
Sanjeeda Sheikh
Sanjeeda was paid Rs 40 lakh for the show for portraying Waheeda, Rehana and Mallikajaan's sister.
Sharmin Sehgal
Sharmin, who is being trolled for her ‘expressionless acting’ in the film was paid Rs 30 lakh for playing Alamzeb, Mallikajaan's younger daughter, in the series. It is to be noted that Sharmin is Bhansali’s niece
Fardeen Khan
Fardeen, who made a comeback after 12 years and played Nawab Wali Bin Zayed-Al Mohammed earned Rs 75 lakh from the series.
About Heeramandi
The period drama delves into the lives of tawaifs, courtesans residing in Lahore's Heera Mandi during the pre-independence era. Set against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement, the show explores themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of this unique community.