Vivek Agnihotri is known to speak his mind films, actors and others in Indian Film Industry.
Vivek Agnihotri is known to speak his mind films, actors and others in Indian Film Industry.
Recently, the filmmaker appreciated Pakistan doctor for criticising Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi
Bollywood has tendency to romanticise courtesans
Sharing Hamd Nawaz’s tweets, Vivek wrote, “A brilliant critique by Sophie Schol. He has seen the show, but I had visited Heeramandi in Lahore a few times.
Infact, Bollywood has this tendency to romanticize courtesans and brothels.
It’s a sad commentary since brothels have never been places of opulence, glamour or beauty. These are monuments of human injustice, pain and suffering. Those unfamiliar with this should watch Shyam Benegal’s Mandi.”
Questioning freedom of creativity
Does creativity give us the freedom to glamorize human suffering? Is it okay to make a film where slum life is depicted as a life of abundance? Is it okay to portray slum dwellers wearing clothes as if they are attending an Ambani wedding?
Vivek Agnihotri went on to say that brothels are “monuments of human injustice, pain and suffering”. He also said asked “those unfamiliar” to watch Shyam Benegal’s Mandi.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has heaped praises on a Pakistani doctor for having Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), He also questioned the freedom of creativity.
Internet reacted to Vivek’s tweet a person said, “Anything in the extreme becomes unpalatable. He is unable to strike a balance between creative freedom and reality.” “Bollywood doesn’t just have a habit. They are obsessed with romanticising brothels, courtesans, etc., particularly some of the later movies. But i do think this is a SLB problem, his movies thrive on showing opulence. Umrao Jaan, Bazaar were more balanced,” read a tweet.
A person tweeted that he saw saw parts with fast forwards, hoping to see some redeeming parts from a brilliant filmmaker, beyond huge sets, grand photography & music, but couldn’t find anything. The turning of tawaifs en masse to patriotic revolutionaries verged on comical.
What Pakistani doctor said about Heeramandi
Recently, Hamd had shared a string of tweets talking about the inaccuracies she came across after watching Heeramandi. One of her tweets read, “Just watched Heeramandi. Found everything but heermandi in it. He means either you don’t set your story in 1940’s Lahore, or if you do- you don’t set it in Agra’s landscape, Delhi’s Urdu, Lakhnavi dresses and 1840’s vibe. His not-so-sorry Lahori self can’t really let it go.”
Hamd also talked on the portrayal of the social and financial strata, language, songs and outfits shown in the web series.
Heeramandi marked the OTT debut of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Through the stories of courtesans and their patrons, the series delves deep into the cultural reality of Heeramandi.
It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman. Heeramandi released on May 1 on Netflix India.
News Edit K.V.Raman
