Sanjay Leela Bhansali 's series, ‘ Heeramandi : The Diamond Bazaar,’ has ignited considerable interest and nostalgia for Lahore 's historic district of Hira Mandi.
He reminisced about the neighborhood's transformations, noting how it shifted from being a renowned cultural hub to its current incarnation as a bustling food street.
“The government has now turned Hira Mandi into a food street.
"The huge sets shown in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi have nothing in common with the ground reality here," he noted.
Bhansali's show captures a fraction of this history, with a character named Saima who transitions from a courtesan to a celebrated singer, echoing the real-life journeys of many Hira Mandi residents.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali 's series, ‘ Heeramandi : The Diamond Bazaar,’ has ignited considerable interest and nostalgia for Lahore 's historic district of Hira Mandi. Bhansali, renowned for his lavish and visually captivating filmmaking, portrays Hira Mandi as a place of splendor and fascination from a bygone era.However, according to a lifelong resident featured in a recent BBC report , the actual Hira Mandi has experienced significant changes over the years, differing greatly from its cinematic depiction.Hira Mandi, located adjacent to the iconic Badshahi Mosque, was once a vibrant cultural center during the pre-Independence era. It evolved through various phases under different regimes, including the Mughals, the Sikhs, and the British. Post-partition, the district continued to change, eventually becoming a popular food street known for its culinary delights rather than its historical courtesans and noblemen.Local resident Ibrar Hussain provided insights into Hira Mandi's rich history and its current state. He reminisced about the neighborhood's transformations, noting how it shifted from being a renowned cultural hub to its current incarnation as a bustling food street. “The government has now turned Hira Mandi into a food street. The women who used to live here moved out, and their families live in various parts of Lahore. The bazaar was shut down in 1990, after which all the women who lived here left."Ibrar Hussain described the narrow streets and dilapidated facades of old houses that once served as the courtesans' residences, now mostly replaced by modern, unremarkable buildings due to a government crackdown on prostitution. He emphasized that the grandiose sets of Bhansali's ‘Heeramandi’ bear little resemblance to the actual historical site. "The huge sets shown in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi have nothing in common with the ground reality here," he noted. The houses, known as 'kothas,' had elaborate interiors but were not grand palaces. Women would stand on 'jharokhas' (overhanging enclosed balconies) and wait for their clients, an image far removed from the luxurious portrayals in the series.Hussain revealed that the properties in Hira Mandi never belonged to the courtesans themselves but to their male relatives, who often denied them ownership to prevent property transfer through marriage. This practice left many courtesans in precarious conditions during their old age. Despite this, Hira Mandi was a thriving hub of music, dance, and entertainment, attracting artists and performers from various backgrounds.The district also had strong ties to the Pakistani film and music industry. Notable figures like actress Nur Jahan and singers Fateh Ali Khan and Amanat Ali Khan once resided there, contributing to its cultural legacy. "Several popular singers and actresses used to live here," Hussain remarked. Bhansali's show captures a fraction of this history, with a character named Saima who transitions from a courtesan to a celebrated singer, echoing the real-life journeys of many Hira Mandi residents.
