Whenever we think of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s projects, the first thing that comes to our mind is the larger-than-life sets. His latest offering, Heeramandi, is no different and is already making news for the magnificent palaces that feature in it. So where was the Netflix series filmed? Here is everything we know about the filming locations and set of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.
Film City, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Heeramanadi was filmed on a set constructed in Film City, situated in Goregaon East, in Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The set was built keeping in mind the pre-independence look of Lahore, the city, of which the real Heera Mandi is a neighborhood. Around 700 craftsmen worked on creating the set, which took around 7 months to complete.
The set is spread across an area of 3 acres, making it the largest-ever filming location for any SLB project. Around 60,000 wooden planks and metal frames were utilized in the construction of the set. The place hosts buildings like a Shahi Mahal, the palace of Mallikajaan, a powerful courtesan played by Manisha Koirala. It also includes a Khwabgaah, the mansion of courtesan Fareedan, portrayed by Sonakshi Sinha.
The rest of the structures erected there include a courtyard with water fountains, a white mosque, a dancing hall, and multiple roads and shops imitating the colonial era. As with all SLB films, the Heeramandi set was also made with great attention to detail. The craftsmen used Mughal paintings, antique floor carpets, filigree metalwork, and handmade chandeliers to accessories the place.
Speaking about his biggest set ever, Bhansali said in an interview, “Heeramandi, my biggest set ever, where walls have been pushed way beyond what I would have imagined as a child.” Appreciating the grandeur of the place, Sonakshi added, “Every table, curtain, candle, pillow, lampshade, and cushion cover was crafted with an insane amount of detailing. There was life in every object.”
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Apart from the set in Mumbai, some outdoor sequences of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar were filmed in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh in India. Being the “City of Nawabs,” Lucknow holds a great historical significance where a number of landmarks and sites from the pre-independence and Mughal eras still stand tall. The historic aura of the city gave the production team a chance to shoot the period drama there. Additionally, due to its Mughal-era buildings, Lucknow could easily stand it as Lahore, which made it a convenient filming location for Heeramandi.
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