Renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut web series, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” has officially been renewed for a second season following its impressive performance since its May 1 launch on Netflix. The series quickly climbed to the top of Netflix’s worldwide non-English TV chart in 43 countries, making it one of the most-viewed Indian series on the platform. In India, it held the No. 1 spot on the Top 10 chart since its debut.
In an interview with Variety, Bhansali revealed exciting details about the next chapter of “Heeramandi.” The second season will see the women of Heeramandi transitioning from Lahore to the world of film. “They leave Lahore after the partition and most of them settle in the Mumbai film industry or Kolkata film industry,” Bhansali shared. “So that journey in the bazaar remains the same. They still have to dance and sing, but this time for the producers and not for the nawabs.”
Set against the backdrop of India’s independence struggle between 1920 and 1947, Season 1 of the drama begins in the Heeramandi district of Lahore, British India. The historical narrative focuses on the lives of tawaifs (courtesans) and their role in the freedom struggle. The series, praised for its rich storytelling, also faced criticism for taking creative liberties in depicting the lives of the women of Heeramandi.
The first season featured a stellar cast, including Manisha Koirala and Sonakshi Sinha in lead roles, alongside Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Indresh Malik, among others. However, the fate of some characters remains uncertain for the next season, given that actors Taha Shah, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Richa Chaddha’s characters meet their end in the series.
Bhansali hinted that production for the second season might commence in 2026, following the release of his film “Love and War,” starring Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Ranbir Kapoor. However, an official confirmation on the timeline is still awaited.
Season 1’s narrative centers around Mallikajaan (played by Manisha Koirala), the queen of Heeramandi, and head of the brothel Shahi Mehel, where she controls the lives of everyone under her roof. The plot thickens with the return of her niece Fareedan (played by Sonakshi Sinha), who seeks revenge for her mother’s death. The eight-episode saga weaves through politics, the struggles of the nautch girls, love stories, and ultimately, their fight for freedom.
The ensemble cast also includes Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbojaan, Richa Chaddha as Lajjo, Sanjeeda Sheikh as Waheeda, and Sharmin Segal as Alamzeb, the youngest courtesan. The show has sparked polarized views from audiences and critics, igniting major discussions across social media. Debates around the show’s historical accuracy, its dialogues, Aditi Rao’s memorable Gajagamini walk, and Sharmin Segal’s performance have kept “Heeramandi” in the spotlight.
As fans eagerly await more updates, the renewed season promises to continue the saga of the women of Heeramandi, now set against the glitzy yet challenging backdrop of the Indian film industry, post-partition.
