Heeramandi Was Crafted as ‘The Crown of India’, Reveals Netflix India Head
Monika Shergill opens up about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s cinematic ambition to create a royal saga with global appeal through Netflix’s lavish period drama.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s grand Netflix debut Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar dazzled audiences with its opulence, layered storytelling, and stellar performances. But beyond the visual spectacle lies a surprising revelation—Bhansali originally envisioned the series as India’s answer to The Crown.
In an exclusive conversation with IndiaTV ShowBiz, Netflix India’s Vice President of Content, Monika Shergill, revealed that the acclaimed filmmaker aimed to create a show with the scale, emotion, and finesse of the globally renowned British royal drama. “He had a thing in mind that this has to be The Crown from India. That’s what Heeramandi was shaped as,” she stated.
Shergill explained that Bhansali approached Heeramandi as pure cinema, crafting each element with meticulous detail—from scripting to scoring. Despite being rooted in a vastly different cultural and historical setting, the show carries universally resonant emotions. “He composed the music himself and made his cinema grander and closer to people’s hearts,” she added.
What stood out to the Netflix executive was Bhansali’s adaptability. Known for his big-screen spectacles, the director took the time to understand the dynamics of the streaming platform. He actively sought feedback throughout production to ensure the narrative remained compelling for binge-watchers while staying true to his distinct storytelling style.
Calling her experience of working with Bhansali “the best time,” Shergill praised him not only for his creative genius but also for his collaborative spirit. “He isn’t just a creator—he’s a phenomenal person who adds intricate detail to everything,” she said.
She further highlighted how streaming has revolutionized storytelling in India. Unlike traditional cinema, digital platforms allow creators to stretch narratives across episodes and seasons, giving characters room to evolve and stories space to breathe. Bhansali seized this opportunity, opting for a long-form structure to immerse audiences in his vision of pre-Independence India’s tawaif culture.
With Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali didn’t just create a series—he delivered a cinematic event designed to be timeless, much like The Crown. His transition from films to OTT appears to be just the beginning of a new chapter in Indian storytelling.
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