The series is directed and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The series stars Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh in lead roles.
Sonakshi Sinha is currently making headlines for her latest series, Heeramandi. Meanwhile, in a recent interview, the actress discussed her character, Fareedan’s gender flexibility, as well as a moment (from the series) that hinted at Fareedan’s same-sex orientation, gaining everyone’s attention.
In the series, Sonakshi played the double role of mother and daughter. During the interview, the actress shared that initially, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had told her that Fareedan is very fluid. Then, a lot of it did happen. And in a place like Heeramandi, people were very open about it. Even Ustadji (played by Indresh Malik) is very openly gay.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to explore it in different ways. Fareedan’s life experiences have all influenced her. In one of the sequences in Heeramandi, courtesan Fareedan can be seen engaged in foreplay with one of her servants, implying sexual consummation.
In the scene, Fareedan brings one of her maids into her room in the presence of Choudhary Saab (a nawab who patronizes Fareedan), implying Fareedan’s bisexual orientation.
Sonakshi later elaborated on Fareedan’s motives and said her action depended on the auction that was done when she was nine years old. That was the sole reason why she hates men and makers have left it very open.
After the grand Mumbai screening of Heeramandi, Sonakshi Sinha treated her fans to inside pictures with a long note. She wrote, “What a MAGICAL night!! Too many emotions, too many people, too much love, too many memories—all that came to life on screen yesterday at the grand premiere of #HeeraMandi. Thank you, Sanjay sir, for making me your Fareedan. I am so honoured to share this moment with my stellar co-actors and the entire team that toiled day and night to create this magic! It’s happening, guys!!! #heeramandionnetflix May 1st.”
The series is backed by Bhansali Productions and Prerna Singh, with the concept credited to Moin Beg. The series stars Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman and Taha Shah.