Pakistani writer criticizes 'Hiramandi' as having historical errors

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Hiramandi The Diamond Bazaar' released on May 1 has been criticized for its inappropriate depiction of the historical period and location. A viewer from Lahore criticized the show's depiction of events, locations and costumes, arguing that it did not accurately represent 1940s Lahore.

A viewer who goes by the username Hamd Nawaz shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). 'Just saw Hiramandi,' she started the thread. Everything except Hiramandi was found in it. That is, even if you don't set your story in 1940s Lahore, or the Agra landscape, in the Urdu of Delhi, in the Lakhnavi dresses, in the 1840s vibe. My unforgiving Lahori himself cannot spare it.'

After that, they talked about problems with the set, soundtrack, dialogues, casting etc. 'First, where exactly is it set? Lake Como? The Amalfi Coast? The most obvious landmark still visible from every building in today's Hira Mandi remains is the ruins and minarets of the Shahi Qila the Grand Mosque. If you call it Lahore, show Lahore (Sikh),' she wrote.

While acknowledging the filmmaker's creative freedom, the viewer suggested that more research into the historical and cultural background of the series would have been beneficial.The series explores the lives of prostitutes and nawabs in a notorious red light district in pre partition India, starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Sharmin Segal.' Hiramandi 'Hiramandi The Diamond Bazaar' is Bhansali's 14 year passion project.