Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up for his debut on the OTT platform with the series Heeramandi, and filmmaker Nikhil Advani is full of praise for him, anticipating a successful venture.
Known for his directorial hits like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Salaam-E-Ishq, Nikhil expressed his confidence in Bhansali’s capability to create a global sensation with his Netflix project.
In a discussion with Film Companion, Nikhil envisioned a scenario where Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi could achieve the same level of acclaim as international phenomena like Squid Game, emphasizing the uniqueness of Indian shows achieving such widespread recognition. He believes that Heeramandi’s distinctive storyline and Bhansali’s directorial prowess will be instrumental in its success on a global scale.
Nikhil highlighted the potential of Heeramandi to captivate global audiences, drawing parallels to the widespread popularity of Padmaavat, which saw the Indian diaspora embracing its cultural elements even in places like San Francisco.
Furthermore, Nikhil elaborated on how foreign audiences are drawn to exotic content, citing examples like SS Rajamouli’s RRR, which garnered international attention. He emphasized that Western audiences are intrigued by elements of exoticism, which India has to offer, despite historical associations with stereotypes like snake charmers.
Heeramandi, set to premiere on Netflix on May 1, marks Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s entry into the OTT landscape. With a star-studded cast including Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Shaikh, the series promises a compelling narrative set against the backdrop of Lahore’s courtesans and the red-light district of undivided India.