Despite the series Heeramandi receiving a blend of reviews, Manisha Koirala’s portrayal of Mallikajaan is capturing acclaim. Within the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial, she embodies the role of a courtesan. However, in a candid conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Manisha unveiled that the peculiar intimate scene with Shekhar Suman was not originally scripted.
Manisha reminisced, “I was amidst the tranquility of Nepal, tending to my garden, when my phone buzzed with a call from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s office. Sanjay’s voice crackled through the line, ‘Manisha, there’s a role waiting for you. Dive into the script.’ It was a moment of sheer elation. Collaborating with him was a distant dream I had stopped entertaining.”
Reflecting on Bhansali’s directorial finesse, she added, “Sanjay has this uncanny ability to infuse every project with a fresh perspective, an unexpected twist. Even during rehearsals, there’s this palpable sense of exploration, as if each scene unfolds anew. That’s the magic he brings to the table.”
Streaming exclusively on Netflix, “Heeramandi” transports viewers to the tumultuous era spanning 1920 to 1940. Shekhar assumes the role of Nawab Zulfikar, while his son Adhyayan Suman graces the screen as Nawab Zoravar, adding a familial depth to the narrative. The series unfurls the gripping saga of the clash between the esteemed courtesans of Heera Mandi in Lahore and the imposing presence of British officials. Alongside Shekhar and Adhyayan, the ensemble cast features luminaries such as Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, and Fardeen Khan, each weaving an essential thread into this grand tapestry of drama and intrigue.