Entertainment: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi‘ and Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies‘ share a connection beyond their availability on Netflix.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Heeramandi’ made its debut on Netflix on May 1st. Interestingly, the series includes actor Pratibha Ranta, who previously portrayed one of the leads in Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies.’
After an absence of almost 14 years, Kiran Rao returned to directing with ‘Laapataa Ladies’. The story follows two young brides who become lost during a train journey. The film received acclaim, particularly for the performances of its lead actors Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Srivastav, and Pratibha Ranta.
Pratibha Ranta, known for her portrayal of the spirited Jaya in ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ takes on the role of Shama in ‘Heeramandi – The Diamond Market.’ In the series, she depicts the character of Shama, the daughter of the courtesan Waheeda, played by Sanjeeda Sheikh. Despite Shama’s aspiration to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a courtesan, Waheeda opposes her decision.
Waheeda endeavors to conceal her daughter’s youth from the Madam of the house, also known as Mallikajaan, portrayed by Manisha Koirala.
Interestingly, Pratibha had committed to ‘Heeramandi’ prior to her role in Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’. Additionally, Pratibha’s sister Abha Ranta makes an appearance in the series as a young Manisha Koirala.
Pratibha, originally hailing from Shimla, made the move to Mumbai for college. Her journey into acting began with auditions, leading to her role in ‘Laapataa Ladies’.
‘Heeramandi’ unfolds against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle in the 1940s, delving into the cultural intricacies of Heeramandi through the narratives of courtesans and their patrons.