Heera Mandi, a polarising spectacle that dances between brilliance and mediocrity.
Heera mandi on Netflix is SLB’s 8 hours long magnum opus based on the lives of courtesans in Lahore's red light area before the partion.
The lavish sets, intricate costumes, chaste Urdu articulated elegantly, lilting songs with mesmerising picturisation, intense confrontational scenes between the lead actors in every episode, the tense atmospherics etc keep the narrative floating.
However the abrupt ending which switches the series’s leit motif from tawaifs' rivalry-cum-revenge into a joint effort towards independence from Britishers feels contrived, leaving much to be desired.
Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Farida Jalal, Taha Shah, Ustaad ji, and Aditi Rao infuse vitality into their characters, but newcomer Sharmeen's portrayal in a significant role lacks depth. Regrettably, she emerges as the weakest link in the series, alongside the shallow portrayal of debauched nawabs and the caricatured depiction of British exploiters.
Despite its few shortcomings, ‘Heera Mandi’ remains a captivating one-time watch, being unduly criticized for its real and perceived failings. Probably the maker’s image as a celluloid magician escalated the expectations sky high.
To truly connect with and enjoy the series, people should release their prejudices and embrace SLB's vision of that era. It's not flawless but its imperfections are eclipsed by moments of seductive allure."
Diamonds are forever. And this ‘Heera’ does sparkle intermittently!
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