I reviewed the first five episodes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed ‘Heeramandi- The Diamond Bazaar’ – https://www.southasiatimes.com.au/entertainment-sports/cinema/netflix-review-heeramandi-the-diamond-bazaar-1st-five-episodes/ – released on Netflix on May 1, 2024. Now, having seen the last three episodes (total 8), here is what I want to add to it:
Episodes 6, 7 and 8 namely, Tazdar & Alamzeb – Nation vs Love, Bibbojaan – Long Live the Revolution, Heeramandi- The Swan Song, constitute the blooming of love between Tazdar and Alamzeb. She is pregnant and they decide to get married, but things happen in a different way.
The freedom fighters (including Tajdar) decide to intensify the movement. Alamzeb encourages Tajdar to fight for the country’s independence. A plan to loot and attack a British cantonment is thwarted and the freedom fighters are trapped. Alamzeb is arrested and tortured by police but Mallikajaan gets her freed.
Tajdar is arrested and tortured by cops. He refuses to budge during questioning and dies. Alamzeb is devastated.
During a rally, Bibbojaan assassinates a British officer. She is arrested and shot by a firing squad.
Heeramandi joins the freedom struggle. The courtesan’s rally proceeds, Alamzeb traps the other British officer in the bedroom and shoots him dead.
Bhansali focuses on Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal) as she remains a defining character. Her romance with Nawab’s son Tajdar (Tahaa Shah), her resolve to abandon Heeramandi, join the freedom struggle, and kill the British officer. Sharmin shows her acting prowess frame by frame. The emotions are there and so are the gestures.
Heeramandi, like the rest of the country, is embedded in the freedom struggle. The Nawabs loyal to the British, boycott Heeramandi, but there is no stopping. The fire of the freedom struggle is intense and Heeramandi is no exception.
The last episode ends with Heeramandi and other rallyists singing ‘Hamne dekhne hi azadi…’ Then, we have captions announcing the country’s Independence and ‘Aurat Ki Jung Khatam nahi hoti – …nai ladai…’
Let’s commend Sanjay Leela Bhansali led team for this riveting and gigantic series. No doubt, they deserve it.
Rating for the series – 4 stars out of five.
LINK for first 5 episodes review – https://www.southasiatimes.com.au/entertainment-sports/cinema/netflix-review-heeramandi-the-diamond-bazaar-1st-five-episodes/
