Sonakshi Sinha shuts down critics over cracked 'Heeramandi’ history

A certain section of cinephiles remained unimpressed with the series ‘Heeramandi’ and started calling out the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali. And now, Sonakshi Sinha has come forward and reacted to the ongoing criticism over Heeramandi.

In a recent interview with ETimes, Sonakshi Sinha shared that none from Heeramandi had promised a lesson from history. The actress shared that the inspiration behind the storyline has been derived from such historical places, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his craft, did proper justice by creating a world of art for cinephiles. Sonakshi can be quoted as saying:

"When did we promise people a history lesson? There are inspirations derived from places. Yes, Heeramandi is a place which exists in Lahore but we never told you that we are going into the history of it. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an artist and he's creating a world for you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFyvUpgzoh4

Going forward in the interview, Sonakshi Sinha was asked about her views on people showering love on international content and calling out their very own projects. To this, the actress shared that those people who are now calling out Heeramandi, are the same people who will surely be in awe of Bridgerton, which is also a fictionalised version of what it really was.

The actress further asked people to take Heeramandi for entertainment value. She remarked that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was not at all trying to be realistic with the series, and rather, he is dragging people to a realm of dream and vision. Sharing that every filmmaker has a different kind of style, Sonakshi mentioned:

"These are the same people who will love Bridgerton also. But it's a very fictionalised version of what it was. So, I think they should treat Heeramandi like that too and take it for the entertainment value. In no way is Sanjay sir trying to be realistic. He's selling you the idea of a dream and a vision, and that's what he's known for. I think every filmmaker has his own style and this is his, so I think they should treat the series for what it is."

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi is set in the backdrop of Indian independence and it showcases the lives of the tawaifs in a place called Heera Mandi in Lahore. However, amid all going gaga over the larger-than-the-life portrayal of courtesans' lives, a Pakistani doctor openly slammed the series and revealed how Heera Mandi in Lahore was different from what was shown in the series. While the cast's dresses and jewels made everyone stop and share, the Pakistani doctor revealed that there was no such grandeur in the tawaifs' lives, and although they used to wear fancy clothes, it was only during performances.