May 7, 2024: Heeramandi actor, Manisha Koirala, who plays Mallikajaan, shared her experience of collaborating with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Reflecting on the intricate details of the show, she remarked, in a recent chat with the Bollywood Bubble “Every little thing Sanjay does, he tries to bring in a new element that we hadn’t thought of, and he does it. So even about this scene, when rehearsals were going on, it must have been new.”
Before that, Shekhar Suman, portraying Nawab Zulfikar, opened up about a particularly bold scene in the series. Recalling Bhansali’s unique vision, he revealed, “He called me and said, ‘I have thought of a bizarre interpretation of this. Are you open to it?’ I said, ‘Yes’, and he completely turned it around and it was something that nobody had thought.”
Suman elaborated on Bhansali’s direction, shedding light on the unconventional approach to a pivotal scene in an interaction with Zoom. He explained, “He out of the blue, he probably thought that this is done to death kind of thing. Let me do it this way. So it’s about this Nawab, who is pissed drunk, is peeing out of a carriage pulled by Mallikajaan. And he is trying to, in his state of inebriation, trying to make it out with her.”
Manisha Koirala and Shekhar Suman Shower Praises about SLB’s Heeramandi Direction Vision
Highlighting the Heeramandi director’s meticulous attention to detail, Suman added, “He said, ‘No, turn the other way around. And then he takes a fellatio, sort of an oral s*x mid-air, thinking that Mallikajaan is sitting on that side. And he is convinced because he is nawab and he has turned. So Mallikajaan says, ‘What are you doing? I’m here.’ He says, ‘No. I know what I’m doing, and I know you are here.'”
The conversation also delved into Bhansali’s immediate appreciation of Suman’s performance. Praising the actor’s instinctive portrayal, Suman shared, “I did that very instinctively and he came running and said, ‘Magnificent, magnificent.’ So that was it.”
“Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” promises a riveting journey through a world of intrigue, passion, and ambition, solidifying Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s legacy in the realm of storytelling.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited debut on Netflix with “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” has finally landed on screens, captivating audiences with its grandeur. The show, released on May 1, transports viewers to a bygone era with its extravagant sets, opulent costumes, and stellar cast. Led by powerhouse actresses like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Sharmin Segal, alongside Adhyayan Suman, Shekhar Suman, and Fardeen Khan, the series promises a cinematic treat.