Controversy and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are not very distant relatives. In fact, they are very essential elements that supplement the buzz of any Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.
The master filmmaker is known for making larger than life cinema and he single-handedly dominates that place. His films include powerful characters and stories with a grandiose that no other existing filmmaker can match in Bollywood.
But, just like any other Sanjay Leela Bhansali title, Heeramandi is also getting trolled. You might be aware that the master filmmaker is debuting in the digital space through his Netflix series Heeramandi. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Richa Chaddha, and Sharmin Segal in important roles.
It tells the story of a pre-partition in India where courtesans ruled the Heeramandi area in Pakistan.
Now, the trollers are raising questions about the glorification of prostitution. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
A courtesan and a sex worker/prostitute are not the same. Courtesans mainly entertained the men of the elite class through their dancing and singing. On the other hand, sex workers were forced to sell their bodies for survival.
Secondly, their story must not get extinct. The women in the trade of courtesans and prostitution are already one of the most isolated sections of society. If they don’t find any recognition in art, then their contribution to Indian music and dancing will also slowly die out.
The second most prominent allegation is the obsession of SLB with courtesans/sex workers. The only SLB film which revolved around them is Gangubai Kathiawadi. Devdas had a supporting character of Chandramukhi, a courtesan. Also, Rani Mukerji essayed a small role of a sex worker in Saawariya.
Every filmmaker has a particular story to tell, no one asks Cristopher Nolan about his obsession with sci-fi films or that of Tarantino for violence. Even in India, Anurag Kashyap’s unfiltered stories are greatly appreciated.
So why is SLB’s portrayal of women in those trades a problem?
These are two sides of the problem. But there is something bigger than trolls and appreciation.
It is the success story of Sanjay Leela Bhansali as a filmmaker. Padmaavat is a phenomenal example of a film that had to struggle for its release. Even after trying every possible way (including riots), Padmaavat is a successful venture.
So were Bajirao Mastani and most of his films.
With such a phenomenal start of Heeramandi, is it going to be a game changer for Sanjay Leela Bhansali? Let’s see.