Heeramandi, a new series op Netflix, is everything you could hope for. It is a pleasure to see how Sanjay Leela Bhansali portrays the heyday of Indian courtesans in his distinct way. A stellar cast, including Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sonakshi Sinha, chronicles the lives of courtesans in the pre-independence era in 'Heeramandi', set against the backdrop of the 1940s . . For those who don't know, this isn't the first time that Bollywood has depicted the lives of courtesans. If the charm of 'Heeramandi' leaves you wanting more, discover three other Hindi films that depict the lives of courtesans.
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Devdas
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's exquisite representation of a courtesan has shown his charm on screen before. “Devdas” (2002) is still considered one of his best and most beloved pieces to date. While Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai's love story between Dev and Paro is the focus, the director has well exposed Madhuri Dixit's character Chandramukhi, a courtesan who falls in love with Dev. Even though Chandramukhi played a supporting role, her performance left us all in awe of her strength and selflessness.
Where to watch: Watch with Eros Now subscription on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
Pakeezah
Meena Kumari's portrayal of Sahibjaan in the 1972 film “Pakeezah” stands out among the Bollywood films inspired by the lives of courtesans. Sahibjaan fights to escape the prostitution trade in the Amazon Prime Video film, but eventually falls in love with Salim, a young forest ranger. Unfortunately, his wealthy parents are against the union.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
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Umrao Jaan
Rekha raised the bar for courtesans in Bollywood with her 1981 film 'Umrao Jaan'. In the film, Rekha plays a little girl who is sold to a brothel and grows up to become a renowned poet. Rekha made us all fall in love with her after singing 'Dil Cheez Kya Hai' and performing 'Aankhon Ki Masti'.
Where to watch: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
Available on various OTT platforms, these films continue to captivate audiences with their gripping and powerful stories of courtesans.
