Sanjay Leela Bhansali On His Digital Debut With ‘Heeramandi’

“A filmmaker is the one who changes the audience by giving them something they don’t expect. He makes something that’s in his heart”, said filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali at the preview event of his much awaited digital debut of “Heera Mandi” on Netflix.

The filmmaker, known for his female driven narratives, pays tribute to the world where courtesans were queens. Starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Richa Chadha in pivotal roles, the director admitted this was his grandest project so far and a tribute to the cinema for Kamal Amrohi and Mehboob Khan.

“I enjoy making big films but Heera Mandi is my biggest to be honest. I don’t adapt for theatre or digital, am as creative as possible irrespective of the medium” said Bhansali.

When asked about his casting process, he told GOODTiMES,” I wanted to work with these ladies, Manisha Koirala starred in my first film (Khamoshi) and I was keen to work with Sonakshi and Aditi. They are not perfect for the role but they have brought forth mine and their interpretation in playing their parts in “Heera Mandi”.

Confessing the story of the courtesans of Heera Mandi had intrigued and caught his imagination for years. “Beyond their veil they were real women, who felt so much pain.They had no place in society but the society went to them.These ladies stood for dignity, fought against suffering. It’s a celebration of these women”.

Acknowledging it was a difficult task to accomplish,but he acknowledged he was never the one to be dictated by trade or trends.

“I was told not to make Gangubai Kathiawadi. They said it’s a heroine oriented subject, won’t work. I went ahead and ticked all the wrong boxes as per the naysayers.The film worked. I would have never made a Baji Rao if there was no Mastani. For me women are queens a s their perspective needs to be told. The filmmaker needs to make the cause for a change and the audience will change accordingly”, said Bhansali thoughtfully.

When asked if there was a classic he could remake from the past?

“Mother India”, but I dare not remake it and no one should either, its a classic that should remain untouched.”