AMITABH SRIVASTAVA, SR.JOURNALIST
Coming out of the closet after 14 years this ‘Heeramandi’ from Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been worth the wait.
Released on Netflix as an 8 episode series, on May 1 (Labour Day), Heeramandi looks like a Labour of Love for Bhansali, as all his films are. “Heeramandi” is about a real red-light area in Lahore that turned into a revolutionary army against the British during the freedom struggle.
Before going any further one must welcome the gorgeous Manisha Koirala coming back to her first love Bollywood, after an excruciating tryst with cancer.
And what a comeback it has been for the Queen!
She dominates the proceedings in her war with the other courtesan Sonakshi Sinha in a powerful role. Even though she seems to be losing at times she comes out on top with her supreme sacrifice to save her daughter.
Having seen some out and out propaganda films like 370 and Tashkent Files recently this one comes as a totally raw and fresh offering to viewers.
You can’t really categorise this film as women power or the patriotic streak taking over romance but it comes as a complete package.
Much has been written about its strong cast and music but what I found most intriguing and captivating is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s mixing of colours with emotions.
His films are known for their extravagant settings and huge colourful canvasses but here the use of Black and White texture and lavish colours calls for celebrations.
We know attempts will be made to extract political mileage in both India and Pakistan after this film but can political pygmies go beyond that?
And does it help?
For instance, despite promoting removal of Article 370 as a revolutionary step across the globe and showing the same through a recent film, I have been told that ground reports in J and K indicate that the NDA is not even able to field candidates for the Lok Sabha elections for the 5 seats of the valley. If people are so happy why close down internet and telephone services so frequent?
The elite watching TV debates can be taken in by the propaganda of the BJP IT Cell but the voters know better.
