Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming project to reportedly be on Lahore’s Heera Mandi

According to reports in the Indian media, the period drama titled Heera Mandi will revolve around the lives of sex workers, working in Lahore’s red-light district.

You’d think after a superhit like Padmavat, renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali would be taking a break and resting it up — but the man is already onto his next passion project.

Exploring the hidden culture of the red light area in the walled city of Lahore, the Ram-Leela director is all geared up for his next, titled Heera Mandi.

Make no mistake, the project, while a similar theme, is different from his upcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi, which traces the journey of a madam residing in a brothel in Kamathipura by the same name.

Strength. Power. Fear!
One look, a thousand emotions. Presenting the first look of #GangubaiKathiawadi. In cinemas 11 September 2020.@aliaa08 #SanjayLeelaBhansali @prerna982 @jayantilalgada @PenMovies pic.twitter.com/CUSs5TDEBQ

— BhansaliProductions (@bhansali_produc) January 15, 2020

However, for this one, Vibhu Puri, Bhansali’s former assistant, has been roped in for direction.

While no date has been announced regarding when the shoot will commence, news regarding casting has already been doing rounds.

“Bhansali is personally overlooking the casting for the project,” stated a report. “Though officially his former assistant Vibhu will be directing Heera Mandi, SLB’S stamp will be evident in every frame.”

While Alia Bhatt might be finalised as one lead, reports suggest that others on the verge of confirmation could include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, Parineeti Chopra, Manisha Koirala or Vidya Balan.

Expected to debut digitally on Netflix, it is still unclear whether the upcoming project will be a short web series or a film. Either way, we can’t wait to see what’s in store.