Sanjay Leela Bhansali Gives A Tour Of Heeramandi Sets Spread Over 3 Acres Of Land And Built By 700 Craftsmen
Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies are intense, poetic and visual treats to say the least. His next project is a web series made for an OTT platform. For the first time, the ace filmmaker is experimenting with a new platform and new format and his fans are obviously thrilled. Heeramandi, his most ambitious project and as we all know his films are distinguished by their larger-than-life scale, luxury, and grandeur, and this one is no different.?
Heeramadi Sets: Sanjay Leela Bhansali takes us on a tour of his remarkable shooting locations
While most filmmakers are gradually shifting towards realistic subjects for movies, Bhansali still opts for opulent sets that are a mix of architectural and natural flair. Going by the looks of it, Heeramadi sets will also go down in the?golden history of Indian Cinema.?
Why Bhansali opts for larger-than-life sets?
Ahead of Heeramandi's release, Bhansali answers why he opts for larger-than-life sets.?"I like to be lost, lost in bigger spaces. So, I enjoy big sets," he told?Architectural Digest India.?
Heeramandi is his biggest set ever spread over three acres of land
For Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, an eight-part series based on courtesans of Heera Mandi in pre-independence India, his sets were spread over three acres of land. "Woh ten metres push kar karke ab yahan pahuch gaye (while constantly pushing that wall by ten metres I have now reached) to Heeramandi, my biggest set ever, where walls have been pushed way beyond what I would have imagined as a child", he said. Sets of all his films including Bajirao Mastani, Devdas and Padmavat were all grand, but Heeramadi is grander.?
It took 700 craftsmen 7 months to make Heeramandi sets
The filmmaker revealed that for the series which stars?Sonakshi Sinha, Fareed Khan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Adhyayan Suman among others, it took 700 craftsmen seven months to erect?the set on about 60,000 wooden planks and metal frames.
The set includes Shahi Mahal (royal palace) of Mallikajaan for the madam of most powerful brothel in Heera Mandi whose role Manisha Koirala will essay; a Khwabgaah, which is the quarters of Fareedan, a rival courtesan whose role Sonakshi Sinha will play in Heeramandi; a dancing hall;?a white mosque;?a huge courtyard?with water fountains; a colonial-looking room for the young prince and roads and shops, and other smaller kothas and also a hammam room.?
Also Read:?What Is The Story Of Heeramandi? Why Are Pakistanis Against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Web Series?
The sets showcase rich arts and textiles in terms of Mughal paintings, floor carvings, colonial portraits, the filigree work on the window frames. Even the chandeliers used on sets are all handmade.?
Heeramandi sets are far from reality
The sets are nothing like the real Heeramandi of Pakistan. "It can never be real as art is not real," he said. "Can you touch a Kishori Amonkar raag? Can you take a Gaitonde painting and say let’s place it in reality? You can’t."
Also Read:?Heeramandi Paychecks: Here's How Much Manisha Koirala & Others Are Getting
Do you know Sanjay Leela Bhansali?grew up in?chawl very close to Kamathipura–the red light area of Mumbai? Are you excited for Heeramandi's release? Let us know in the comments section below.
For more news and updates from the world of??OTT, and?celebrities?from?Bollywood?and?Hollywood, keep reading?Indiatimes Entertainment.
