There is an undeniable lure to a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. The filmmaker will attempt to recreate the magic with his debut web series Heeramandi that will explore the lives of courtesans in the Lahore district in pre-Independence India. It is heard that he intends to roll the Netflix project in mid-September with a grand song sequence. The production design team has kicked off construction work at the same studio in Film City where the Alia Bhatt-starrer, Gangubai Kathiawadi, was shot.

An insider reveals, “This is the same set where Bhansali sir has shot all his films, starting with Ram-Leela [2013]. Given Gangubai’s story, the set reflected Mumbai of the ’60s. Now, the decor is being changed to make way for a replica of Heeramandi.”

While Bhansali will serve as the showrunner, creator and will direct key sequences, the studio will rope in several directors from their stable to co-direct the episodes. The team is in talks with Madhuri Dixit Nene to play a key role while Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha and Richa Chadha are reportedly part of the project.