Indian actor Shekhar Suman recently hit back at Pakistani viewers who called out Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Heeramandi' for historical inaccuracy.
When questioned about the controversy surrounding Heeramandi, Shekhar shared his viewpoint. He said:
“Lots of stupid people are fussing and obsessing over it, talking about it and questioning the historical accuracy, authenticity, and chronology, but Bhansali Saab is known for his dystopian sagas.
In the same interview, Shekhar Suman added that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his craft and his world of imagination. The actor mentioned that SLB's creation and his interpretation should not be compromised because it is his point of view. Shekhar stated that Sanjay Leela Bhansali had not made a documentary on Heeramandi, rather, he had taken a cue from there.
Shekar further stated:
“Padosi mulk ke kuch log hain (There are some people of the neighbouring country) who are feeling very jealous about the fact ki inhone kyu bana dia (Why did they make it)? Bhai aap bana lete (You could have made it) and why are you even discussing our Heeramandi? We don’t discuss your films. We don’t even know whether you make films.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irGn-ElZ2Pg
Soon after the series was released, a Pakistani doctor, took to X (Twitter) and criticised Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi. The doctor had shared an old photo of the actual Heera Mandi and wrote that Bhansali should have been well aware of the fact that the courtesans didn't have that much of a financial luxury to afford such jewels and outfits, which had been shown on the series. Later, Vivek Agnihotri lauded the Pakistani doctor for talking about Heera Mandi. He said that he visited the place himself and also talked about how Bollywood often romanticises these courtesans' lives which are full of suffering.
Shekhar Suman was lauded for his impressive portrayal of Nawab Zulfikar in the popular series, Heeramandi.