Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has praised the Pakistani doctor who criticized Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Vivek on X (formerly Twitter) said that Bollywood has a “tendency to romanticize courtesans and brothels”. He also raised questions on freedom of creativity. (Also read | Hiramandi: Netizens point out these historical inaccuracies in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s series,
Vivek praised the person who criticized the Constitution
Sharing Hamd Nawaz’s tweet, Vivek wrote, “A brilliant critique by @_SophieSchol. I haven’t seen the show, but I have visited Heeramandi, Lahore a few times. Bollywood has a tendency to romanticize prostitutes and brothels This is a sad commentary because brothels have never been places of prosperity, glamor or beauty. Those who are not familiar with them should watch ‘Mandi’.”
Vivek questions freedom of creativity
“Also, a question we should ask is: Does creativity give us the freedom to glamorize human suffering? Is it okay to make a film where slum life is depicted as a life of abundance? Is slum- Is it okay to portray people living in huts dressed like they are? Are you attending Ambani’s wedding? Please discuss.”
Internet reactions are coming on Vivek’s tweet
Responding to the post, one person said, “Anything taken to extremes becomes distasteful. He is unable to strike a balance between creative freedom and reality.” “Bollywood just doesn’t have a habit. They are fond of romanticizing brothels, prostitutes etc., especially in some of the later films. But I think this is a SLB problem, their films are based on grandeur. Umrao Jaan, Markets were more balanced,” read one tweet.
He tweeted, “I watched the fast-paced parts hoping to see, beyond the huge sets, gorgeous photography and music, something redemptive from a brilliant filmmaker, but got nothing. The courtesans are collectively called patriotic revolutionaries. It was ridiculous to change to.” a person.
What did the Pakistani doctor say about Hiramandi?
Recently, Hamd had shared several tweets talking about the inaccuracies he came across after watching Heeramandi. One of his tweets read, “Just watched Heeramandi. It got everything except Heeramandi. I mean either you don’t set your story in 1940’s Lahore, or if you do – you set it in the landscape of Agra, Don’t set it in Delhi’s Urdu.” The Lucknowi costumes and the 1840s atmosphere, my Lahori nature really can’t let it go.”
He also wrote, “First of all, where exactly is it located? Lake Como? The Amalfi Coast? The most obvious landmark still visible from every building in today’s remains of the Hira Mandi is the dome of the Imperial Citadel—the Grand Mosque and The minarets are the horizon. If you call it Lahore, show it Lahore.”
Hamd also talked about the portrayal of social and financial strata, language, songs and organizations shown in the web series.
about the constitution
Heeramandi marked the OTT debut of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Through the stories of prostitutes and their patrons, the series deeply delves into the cultural reality of Heeramandi. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Sehgal, Taha Shah Badusha, Shekhar Suman and Adhyayan Suman. Heeramandi was released on Netflix India on 1 May.
