Sanjay Leela Bhansali is launching his Netflix show Heeramandi

After the international success of SS Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’, Netflix continues to increase its investment in Indian film and television content. The streaming giant is planning another collaboration with one of India’s biggest directors, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is making his television debut with the upcoming Netflix series Heeramandi.

The series, currently in post-production, follows a group of Indian courtesans and their patrons in the late 1940s, during the final years of the nation’s struggle for independence from Britain.

Starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Sheikh, ‘Heeramandi’ is directed and produced by Bhansali. Internationally, Bhansali is best known for his films ‘Devdas’, ‘Black’ and ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’.

The news was announced Friday night at an event in India billed as a fireside chat between Bhansali and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

“Audiences want stories that help them escape and connect, and Sanjay is an exceptional storyteller who does both,” said Sarandos. “’Heeramandi’, like all Sanjay’s stories, is not style over substance, but style and substance together. At Netflix, our responsibility to creators is to give them the tools to do their life’s work and empower them to bring their vision to life. We are delighted to partner with a visionary like Sanjay and bring the world of ‘Heeramandi’ to a global audience.

“‘Heeramandi’ holds a special place in my heart as it has stayed with me for 14 years,” said Bhansali. “For me, the most fascinating aspect of storytelling is the opportunity to portray real characters, especially women, and portray their emotions with interesting nuances. The women of ‘Heeramandi’ are queens in their own right and with this story I aim to bring these historical characters alive with a modern approach. Netflix made this possible for us by making an artist like me feel at home.”

Bhansali said fans of his maximalist style will have plenty to look forward to when the series hits Netflix.

“’Heeramandi’ is the biggest project I have done, it is on such a huge scale,” he said. “I had to do something special … to make (Sarandos) proud.”

Netflix is ​​yet to announce the release date of ‘Heermanji’. You can watch the trailer for the series below.

(embed)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S78Ks-P988(/embed)

Register: Stay up to date with the latest movie and TV news! Subscribe to our email newsletter here.