With Gangubai Kathiawadi behind him, it’s now time for Sanjay Leela Bhansali to single-mindedly focus on Heeramandi. The eight-episode web series will see the auteur share directorial duties with Mitakshara Kumar, who served as his assistant director on Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018) before helming The Empire (2021). Where there is Bhansali, there is the promise of songs mounted on a lavish scale. It holds true for the Netflix offering as well.

“Bhansali will direct the first two episodes, while the subsequent episodes will be helmed by Mitakshara. However, given his unparalleled style of presenting dance numbers, SLB has taken the responsibility of directing every song. Each episode will have a song, bearing his signature style of grandeur. The compositions are ready,” says a source.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadha, Nimrat Kaur and Sayani Gupta are said to feature in the period drama that tells the story of love, betrayal and politics in the lives of the courtesans.

The source adds, “Bhansali will begin filming in the first week of May. The set is built on the same ground in Film City where Gangubai Kathiawadi was shot.”

Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Sonakshi Sinha and Manisha Koirala