Bhansali Wanted Rekha, Kareena, Rani Mukerji in Heeramandi

Mumbai: Ahead of the release of his much-awaited web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, which premiered on Wednesday (May 1), Sanjay Leela Bhansali spoke about the long preparation for the project at a special premiere in Los Angeles.

He revealed that it was originally planned as a feature film 18 years back with Rekha, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. Later on he thought of having Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Imran Abbas in the series.

With time the star cast changed. The final cast includes Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah, Fardeen Khan and Shekhar Suman. Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I am very happy with the cast.”

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, is period drama set in the British colonial era.