New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's highly anticipated series, ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, made its debut on Netflix on May 1. Discussions have erupted across the internet regarding the filmmaker's past casting considerations. Bhansali recently disclosed that he had contemplated featuring Pakistani actors Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan for a role, when ‘Heeramandi’ was initially conceived as a film.
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan are being considered by fans as the young couple Tajdar and Alamzeb (originally played by Taha Shah Badussha and Sharmin Segal), based on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's earlier pick.
Some users took to X (earlier, Twitter) to express enthusiasm over the idea of Khan and Khan portraying pivotal roles. One user even went as far as to share a recent advertisement picture of the duo, suggesting they would have been the ideal fit for the characters.
However, the proposal was met with mixed reactions. Some argued that, given the characters' intended age range of early twenties, Mahira and Fawad might not have been suitable choices. One user wrote, "And the fact that the characters are supposed to be in their early twenties...??"
One user criticised the storyline of ‘Heeramandi’ and said, “Hell no, these actors deserve a much better script.” Another one argued, “They aren't fond of playing bold characters yk.. they can't even imagine making a movie on courtesans.”
About ‘Heeramandi’
‘Heeramandi’ is set against the backdrop of pre-Independence India. The series follows the lives of courtesans in Lahore's red-light district. Featuring a star-studded ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Sanjeeda Shaikh, the series promises to be a captivating exploration of love, desire, and power of ‘tawaifs’.