Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024) Hindi Season 1

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language period drama. It was created and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The series focuses on the lives of tawaifs in Heera Mandi, Lahore, during British rule. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and others.

The series premiered on Netflix on 1 May 2024. It received mixed reviews. A second season was announced in June 2024.

The series is set during the Indian independence movement in the 1940s. It explores the lives of tawaifs in the red-light district of Heera Mandi.

Cast

Main Cast

Manisha Koirala as Mallikajaan: Chief courtesan of Shahi Mahal.
Sonakshi Sinha as:
    Rehana Jahan: Former chief courtesan and Mallikajaan's sister.
    Fareedan Jahan: Chief courtesan of Khwabgah and Rehana's daughter.
Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbojaan: Mallikajaan's elder daughter.
Richa Chadha as Lajjo: Mallikajaan's foster daughter.
Sanjeeda Sheikh as Waheedajaan: Mallikajaan's younger sister.
Sharmin Segal Mehta as Alamzeb: Mallikajaan's youngest daughter.
Taha Shah Badusha as Nawab Tajdar Baloch: Alamzeb's lover.

Recurring Cast

Farida Jalal as Qudsia Begum: Tajdar’s grandmother.
Adhyayan Suman as Zoravar Ali Khan: Lajjo's patron and Mallikajaan's son.
Fardeen Khan as Wali Bin Zayed: Bibbojaan’s patron.
Shekhar Suman as Khan Bahadur Zulfikar: Mallikajaan's patron.
Jason Shah as Alastair Cartwright: A British officer.
Shruti Sharma as Saima: Alamzeb's maid.
Rajat Kaul as Iqbal: Mallikajaan's driver and Saima's lover.

Episodes

Episode 1: "Mallikajaan: The Queen of Heeramandi"
In 1920, Rehana trades her sister Mallika's child for jewelry. Mallika vows revenge. By 1945, Mallikajaan rules Shahi Mahal. Her eldest daughter Bibbo is approached by an Englishman, Gunther, but she refuses to let him record her voice. Mallikajaan plans Alamzeb's nath-utrai (debut as a courtesan). Alamzeb secretly attends a poetry recital and meets Tajdar, a rebel. Meanwhile, British officers try to uncover Mallikajaan’s secrets. Bibbo, revealed to be part of the independence movement, plots against the British.

Episode 2: "Fareedanjaan: The Challenger Returns"
Fareedan, Rehana’s daughter, returns to Heeramandi seeking revenge. Lajjo is heartbroken after her patron Zoravar announces his engagement. Mallikajaan reveals Zoravar is her illegitimate son. Lajjo dies, leaving Mallikajaan devastated. Fareedan claims ownership of Khwabgah, a mansion, and warns Mallikajaan of her downfall.

Episode 3: "Waheedajaan: Scarred for Life"
Flashbacks reveal that Zulfikar scarred Waheeda for threatening to expose Rehana’s murder. In the present, Waheeda fights for Khwabgah but is betrayed by Mallikajaan. Fareedan outmaneuvers everyone and announces her debut performance. Mallikajaan sabotages her event, leaving Fareedan humiliated.

Episode 4: "Alamzeb: The Innocent Pawn"
Fareedan manipulates Alamzeb and separates her from Mallikajaan. Alamzeb runs away to Tajdar, but he initially rejects her. Iqbal is arrested, and Saima is sold to buyers. Alamzeb agrees to her nath-utrai to save Iqbal but is tricked into eloping. Fareedan gains the upper hand.

Episode 5: "Tajdar: The Lover's Dilemma"
Alamzeb stays with Tajdar and bonds with his grandmother. Fareedan hosts a party mocking Mallikajaan. Zulfikar warns Mallikajaan of Fareedan’s growing power. Fareedan uncovers Tajdar’s rebel connections and reports him to the British. Alamzeb is arrested.

Episode 6: "Tajdar & Alamzeb: Nation vs. Love"
Mallikajaan sacrifices herself to free Alamzeb from prison. Fareedan betrays Tajdar to the British. Tajdar, tortured by officers, dies in custody. Alamzeb learns of his death during her nath-utrai preparations and collapses from grief.

Episode 7: "Bibbojaan: Long Live the Revolution"
Bibbo vows to fight for independence. Alamzeb, pregnant with Tajdar’s child, finds solace in her family. The tawaifs support the rebellion despite losing their patrons. Bibbo assassinates a British officer but is arrested and executed.

Episode 8: "Heeramandi: The Swan Song"
The tawaifs march in protest on the day of Bibbo’s execution. Mallikajaan names Fareedan her successor. Alamzeb avenges Tajdar by killing Cartwright. Despite their losses, the women of Heeramandi continue to fight for freedom, chanting "Inquilab Zindabad."