Filmmaker
Vivek Agnihotri
has recently voiced strong opinions regarding Bollywood’s depiction of
brothels
and
courtesans
. In a series of tweets,
Vivek
expressed concern over what he perceives as the glamorisation of human suffering in the industry.
Vivek’s comments were sparked by
Pakistani doctor
Hamd Nawaz who criticised
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
‘s debut web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.
Hamd pointed out the discrepancies and inaccuracies in the portrayal of
Heeramandi
, a historical red-light district in Lahore.
In his tweet, Vivek praised Hamd’s criticism and stressed the need to avoid romanticising brothels and courtesans. He urged those unfamiliar with the reality of these places to watch
Shyam Benegal
‘s Mandi, a film known for its realistic portrayal of life in a brothel.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the success Heeramandi: It’s a piece that somehow brings us all together
“I haven’t seen the show, but I have visited Heeramandi in Lahore a few times. Bollywood has this tendency to romanticize courtesans and brothels. It’s a sad commentary because 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,” Vivek tweeted.
He further added, “Also, a question we must ask: 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? Pl discuss.”
Set against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle of the 1940s, Heeramandi promises to be an epic saga of love, power, revenge, and freedom. It features Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, and Adhyayan Suman.
