By Anil Merani: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series “Heeramandi” exposes the double standards of Indian society in the twenties. Set in the red-light district of Lahore, undivided India, “Heeramandi” delves into the world of the dance girls, Tawaifs. The intricate power dynamics and simmering jealousies (love for the same man) among the girls (Manisha Koirala) not only lead to murders but also take over brothels and properties.
The series highlights the debauchery of the Nawab (Shekhar Suman) class, who also collaborated with the British rulers of the day. They blow away vast amounts of money on the girls every night while keeping their wives at home, who seem to be aware of what is happening but are powerless to stop it.
Sadly, young men (Taha Shah Badussha) were encouraged by their families (Farida Jalal) to frequent the kothas to learn “culture.” Interestingly, tawaifs back then had a standing in society. The madam of the brothel (Manisha Koirala) is invited to mushairas.
What is heart-wrenching is seeing how women (Manisha) were themselves pushing their young daughters (Sharmin Segal) into the flesh trade, for they know that there is no exit, having faced the same treatment at the hands of their mothers. It is disgusting to see how pure performing art gets debased due to lust and power.
Some tawaifs (Aditi Rao Hydari) also clandestinely supported the revolutionaries waging an armed struggle against the English. Other tawaifs (Richa Chadda) fell in love with their clients, suffered heartbreak, and ended up drunk.
The facade of linage( Adhyayan Suman is also ripped in episode two), where nawabs have illegitimate children with tawaifs, these kids then grow up to torture their ilk
The show makes you question the desi middle class’s false moral high ground. Today, despite a lot of modernity and social/gender reform, everything is still for sale, and women are nothing but commodities.
PS: I am still watching the show, so I might have missed some crucial details.