Why Sanjay Leela Bhansali's OTT Debut 'Heeramandi' Is Facing Massive Backlash In Pakistan
Most of?Sanjay Leela Bhansali's recent projects have had a historical link, and hence, they become an eye of the storm in the country to a point that he was once slapped and assaulted by the member of Karni Sena.?
While people await the release of Alia Bhatt-starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi, his OTT debut, which is still in the works, is facing massive backlash not in India this time but in Pakistan.?
Pakistani actor Ushna Shah in a tweet stated that it's not Bhansali's story to tell.
"Culture of collaboration is one thing but this is appropriation. Mimicking ours will make the project lose authenticity. India has a plethora of rich culture and history to film, this isn¡¯t theirs to make."
In other tweets, she wrote,?"Not a single Netflix original has been made by Pakistan. Heera-Mandi was what is present day inner city Lahore. Like I said, India has a plethora of rich culture & history to film. Today, Mughal history mostly falls into Pakistan¡¯s domain, language/some geography. We needed this.
Also.. it isn¡¯t about permission. Banaanay koh toh they can make anything. Of course it was all India once. But if the little history that leans towards Pakistani culture/language/city is also commissioned to India to make what historical film will Pakistan make?"
For the unversed, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is making a web series on Lahore's red-light area titled Heeramandi, which will be released on Netflix. Reportedly, SLB has been working on the project for the last 14 years.
Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Nimrat Kaur, Juhi Chawla, Diana Penty will reportedly star in the project. It is said that Juhi Chawla will also have a cameo.?
Bhansali had announced the project in August and it faced criticism even then.?
Writer-actor Yasir Hussain in his Instagram story wrote, "This (Heeramandi) is in Lahore but it is being produced by Indians. Then we will criticise how they showed a false narrative. God knows when we will tell our stories".
Actress Mansha Pasha also said that "because in Pakistan a fictional narrative is often censored, others take up the stories that are native to our country. In the end, what will be left will be our stories told from someone else¡¯s mouth".
Bhansali has said, "Heera Mandi is an important milestone in my journey as a filmmaker. It is an ambitious, grand and all-encompassing series; therefore I am nervous yet excited about making it."?
The shooting of the project has reportedly begun.?
