“Netflix Boss Thought Heeramandi Pitch Was A Dare”

When Sanjay Leela Bhansali pitched Heeramandi to Netflix, no one expected it to be approved. Known for his grand and lavish films, Bhansali had a big vision for the show. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos recently revealed that the pitch felt more like a “dare” than a regular presentation.

Speaking on the WTF podcast with Nikhil Kamath, Sarandos said, “It felt like Bhansali was daring us to make something so big. He came all the way to Los Angeles with a bold idea. I thought he wanted us to say no.” But Netflix surprised him by saying yes.

Even after the green light, the journey wasn’t easy. The production was delayed many times and it took almost three years to complete. “He built huge real sets, not just digital effects. Everything about it was old-school and beautiful,” Sarandos added. “Heeramandi shows India’s deep love for cinema, and I’m very proud of it.”

About Heeramandi

Heeramandi is a fictional story set in Lahore’s red-light district during pre-Partition India. Bhansali first thought of it as a film in 2007. He even wanted Pakistani stars like Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Imran Abbas, but due to the ban on Pakistani artists in India since 2016, that plan was dropped.

The show finally came to life with stars like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, and Taha Shah Badussha. It was released on Netflix in May 2024.

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