Decked out in traditional attire, Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and Sharmin Segal Mehta gracefully showcase Indian classical dance in the opulent setting of a royal courtyard. This captivating performance is featured in the music video for “Sakal Ban,” the debut track from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s highly anticipated Netflix period saga, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” unveiled by the creators over the weekend.
Portraying courtesans in the series, the actresses emanate gracefulness with their nimble footwork and fluid body movements throughout the two-minute-45-second-long video, reminiscent of the aesthetic flair seen in Bhansali’s previous cinematic masterpieces.
“Embrace the essence of spring, heralding the arrival of blooming flowers, imbued with the allure of beauty, resilience, and elegance! #SakalBan🌼 SONG OUT NOW from #HEERAMANDI. Prepare for the unveiling of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, exclusively on Netflix,” Bhansali Productions announced alongside the captivating video on Instagram.
The spectacle opens with an overhead view, capturing a cadre of dancers adorned in vibrant yellow shararas, engaged in a rhythmic procession of chakkars upon the majestic expanse of the royal floor. Into this scene of motion and color drifts Aditi, her demeanor clouded with despondency, until the tender embrace of Manisha and Sharmin’s characters envelop her in solace. Determined to dispel her melancholy, Manisha and Sharmin intertwine in a fluid, graceful dance, each movement a brushstroke of light and hope, gradually illuminating Aditi’s countenance with a gentle warmth.
Through a lens adorned with opulence and grandeur, Bhansali unveils the captivating realm of Heeramandi in his visual opus, showcasing resplendent bungalows and enchanting courtesans from the era of pre-independence India. In the soulful rendition by Raja Hasan, the verses of the song find life through the quill of none other than the venerable Amir Khusro.
In Bhansali’s venture into the realm of OTT, the series embarks on a journey through the tales of love and betrayal entwined within the lives of courtesans inhabiting Lahore’s venerable red-light district, Heeramandi. Amidst the era of British rule in India, the narrative delves into the intricate webs of power dynamics, illuminating how the women of Heeramandi grapple with the surging tides of anti-colonial resistance.
In addition to its stellar cast including Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, and Richa Chadha, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” boasts an ensemble of talent. Meanwhile, Bhansali has collaborated with Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal for his grand cinematic spectacle “Love and War,” scheduled for a Christmas release next year. Although the release date for “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” remains undisclosed at present.