Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi Nearly Got Netflix CEO’s Biggest No — Here’s Why
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently opened up about the streaming giant’s decision to greenlight Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious web series, Heeramandi. Known for his extravagant filmmaking style, Bhansali’s move into the digital space was seen as a bold leap, and Sarandos admitted he initially thought Netflix might reject the project.
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Speaking on Nikhil Kamath’s WTF podcast, Sarandos recalled, “Heeramandi was probably one of the most creatively interesting projects I’ve worked on in India. Bhansali came to Los Angeles with this massive vision—it almost felt like a dare. I thought he was coming to hear a no. But when we said yes, the production turned out to be very complex and delayed.”
Heeramandi, which premiered in May 2024 after nearly three years in production, is set in Lahore during the pre-Partition era and explores the lives of courtesans in the city’s red-light district. Bhansali, who had never made a series before, insisted on using grand practical sets rather than digital effects, bringing his signature cinematic grandeur to streaming.
Netflix CEO Sarandos praised Bhansali’s dedication: “He built enormous, practical sets that captured an old-fashioned charm. It’s a true reflection of India’s deep, enduring love for cinema. I was so proud of him.”
Originally conceptualized as a feature film in 2007, Heeramandi was to include Pakistani stars like Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan. However, following an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in India after 2016, casting shifted to Indian actors including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Richa Chadha.
This project marks a significant milestone in Netflix’s growing Indian content portfolio, highlighting the platform’s commitment to high-quality, culturally rich storytelling under the watchful eye of Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.
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