Netflix Renews Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hit Series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ for Season 2 (EXCLUSIVE)

Netflix has renewed Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut series “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” for a second season. Within the first week of its May 1 launch, the series climbed up Netflix’s worldwide non-English TV chart in 43 countries, becoming the most-viewed Indian series globally for the streamer. It has held the No. 1 spot in the India Top 10 chart since its release.

Season 1 of the show is set in the Heeramandi district of Lahore, British India, during the years 1920 to 1947, when the subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan. The story revolves around the tawaifs, who were similar to the geishas of Japan, trained in music and dance, and admired by nobility. The central characters are Mallikajaan (played by Manisha Koirala), the conniving queen of Heeramandi, and her vengeful niece Fareedan (played by Sonakshi Sinha).

The production of Season 1 was an intensive process that spanned 350 shooting days over three years. Bhansali expressed the magnitude of the project, stating, “It takes a lot to make a series. This one has taken a lot.” He worked tirelessly on the series following the release of “Gangubai Kathiawadi” in February 2022.

For Season 2, Bhansali shared his vision of the women transitioning from Lahore to the film industry post-partition, settling in Mumbai or Kolkata. The essence of the bazaar remains, with the women now performing for producers rather than nobles. The announcement for Season 2 took place at an event in Mumbai, where a flash mob of 100 dancers surprised the audience with the news.

Monika Shergill, VP of content at Netflix India, praised Bhansali for bringing “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” to life, describing the series as a cultural phenomenon that audiences have embraced. She expressed excitement for the upcoming season, stating, “It thrills me to share that we will be back with Season 2.”

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