Here's Why Courtesans Fascinate Heeramandi Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starting from Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi to Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has brought the lives of 'sex workers' or 'courtesans' to the screen. In a new interview, the director discussed his fascination with this particular figure in his previous works and also representation of courtesans in Heeramandi starring Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala and others.

Here's Why Courtesans Fascinate Heeramandi Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Sanjay said in a chat with Galatta Plus, “I feel they are women who have a lot of enigma, a lot of mystery. The courtesan, or the tawaif, or the prostitute… they are different. But they always exude a certain kind of power which I find very interesting to look at… I found that very fascinating, that these women are very interesting. Where they sing, they dance. Where they express themselves; their joy and their grief in music and dance. They understand the art of living, the importance of architecture, the use of fabric, and the kind of jewelery they wear. They are connoisseurs of art.”

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"Hum log kya hein? Hum log artist log hain. Usko ap samajhgir bolo, bhand bolo… jo chahe bolo. Mere ko to woh chahiye. I have to create something that is very enigmatic. As a child, all those people that would pass by… mein school mein jaata hu toh ye chehre mujhe fascinate karte he. Waha pe jo ration ki line mein jo chaar middle-class housewives khade hain woh mujhe fascinate nahi karti (Who are we? We are artists. Whatever you might call them, I still need them. When I used to go to school, I was fascinated by those faces. Those four middle-class women in the ration line do not interest me)."

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali on historical inaccuracies in Heeramandi

Talking about the accuracy in Heeramandi, he said “In my mind, it was the most romantic place to be in. I come from that world. I’ve always watched films with pimps and prostitutes around in the theatres. My cinema will always have that dramatic touch and that larger-than-life approach, which is not subtle, which is not delicate, but it is heartfelt. It’ll have a dignity of it being told on the screen because I work on the visual of it. It has to be worthy of being there because I’m reliving a certain moment of my life, of this life, maybe past life.”

Also read: Heeramandi 2 Soon? Adhyayan Suman Confirms The Sequel To Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Netflix Series

He also stated that he is accountable for providing his audience with an experience, and he will do so to the best of his abilities. He is not here to make money, but to make a film. He is here to create an experience for you. 

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