Hiramandi: Producer-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali had been dreaming of bringing the world of Hiramandi to life on screen for the past 14 years. Finally he has brought this elusive world in the form of a web series. Lavish sets, beautiful costumes, excellent actresses, great dialogues, songs and music that do justice to the story, everything is similar to Bhansali's films, but the grandeur and glamor associated with it could not hide the flaws in the screenplay. There is no denying that the story has moved too far and the pace of the series has also slowed down. Despite these flaws, the series is entertaining, but it's a masterpiece.
Fight for freedom The story of the courtesans' untold contribution in
Talking about the story of the series which is told in eight episodes, the backdrop is pre-independence. Courtesans of Hiramandi who are called Queens of Lahore. Even Nawabs have bowed their heads before her beauty and talent. Mallikajan (Manisha Koirala) rules the same Hiramandi, but one day suddenly Faridaan (Sonakshi Sinha), the daughter of Mallikajan's old enemy, comes to Hiramandi and becomes a challenge for Mallikajan. She wants her power over Hiramandi. Can Faridan take the title of Queen of Hiramandi from Mallikajan? This starts the story of the series. Not only this, but the riots in the entire city outside Hiramandi, as the freedom struggle against the British rule reaches its peak, is an important plot point for the story to move forward. This also includes Hiramandi Ganarayas. You have to watch the series to know how it all unfolds. At the end of the series, there is also scope for sequels.
Advantages and disadvantages of series
The story of the series is told in eight episodes. Each episode is said to last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. The character introduction scene at the beginning of the story is a little confusing, but once you understand the character, you get attached to the story and the characters. The story is involved in the first two episodes, but the story drags on for the next five episodes. The story takes a different turn after the sixth parva how important the role of the Ganarayas of Hiramandi was in the independence of the country. After that the story gets interesting. Each female character has something, which helps to move the story forward.
Communication is very strong
The conflict scenes between Manisha and Sonakshi are good. Talking about the songs and music, Kasam Khaiyan and Azadi are good songs. The rest of the songs are not tongue-in-cheek, but they do justice to the theme of the series. The background music of the series is definitely amazing. The dialogues in the series perfectly convey the characters and their thinking. A man is one who can look at a woman with respect, but you raised your hand. Will hands or castles burn in the fire of this rebellion? We don't just watch the show. Such dialogue society does not give women a share in wealth, then what will give women?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is another name for grandeur.
Another name for Sanjay Leela Bhansali is magnificence and like all his films, there is that in every frame of his web series, which will be remembered for decades. Bhansali's vision and the hard work of his entire team are commendable, but they cannot hide the flaws in the screenplay. This cannot be denied. The story is too long and the pace of the series is slow. It is strange that all the courtesans of Hiramandi suddenly join the freedom struggle. It needed to be shown a little more effectively.
Actresses showed their talent in acting
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali portrays female characters in a very strong manner in his films. The backbone of the series is its female characters, which are made more special by the excellent actors on screen. Manisha Koirala is seen in the role of Mallikajan in this serial. She has also proved to be a Mallika in acting. Every aspect of Mallikajan's character – arrogance, hatred, cunning, helplessness – is lived in every frame.
Sonakshi Sinha's powerful style
Sonakshi Sinha also gives a strong performance as Faridan, while Aditi Rao Hydari and Sanjeeda Shaikh also excel in their performances. Richa Chadha's character is small, but she effectively conveys the pain associated with her character in some scenes. His character needed to be given a little more screen space. Sharmin has been given the responsibility of an important character in the serial, but she has not been able to do full justice to the responsibility. There was nothing special for Fardeen, Adhyayan and Shekhar Suman in this series. Among the male characters, Taha Shah has definitely settled into his role. The rest of the characters have also done justice to their respective roles.
Web Series: Hiramandi The Diamond Bazaar
Producer and Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Artist: Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Shamim Sharmin Sehgal, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjida Shaikh, Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman, Shekhar Suman, Pratibha Ranta, Taha Shah
Platform: Netflix
Rating: Three stars