Sanjay Leela Bhansali made his OTT debut with Netflix's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, an eight-episode mini-series set in pre-independent Lahore that revolves around its infamous red-light area. Heeramandi focuses on a few courtesans of the era, with Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh playing key roles. Additionally, there's a star-crossed love story involving the characters portrayed by Sharmin Segal and Taaha Shah. Apart from these actors, Heeramandi also stars Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman, Nasir Khan, Farida Jalal, and Jason Shah. Heeramandi Review: Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha Deliver Career-Best Performances in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Grandiose But Drawn-Out Netflix Series.

Heeramandi centres around the courtesans of Shahi Mahal, a famous kotha in Lahore headed by the tough Mallikajaan, who faces a powerful foe in her grown-up niece, Fareedan. Meanwhile, amidst this, a rebellion against the British is brewing in Lahore as part of the Quit India movement, and Mallikajaan's elder daughter, Bibbojaan, secretly joins it. Meanwhile, her younger daughter falls for Tajdar, who has returned from London, and vice versa. Soon, all three main storylines collide, resulting in tragedy, death, and remorse.

So, what happens to the main characters by the end of the eight episodes? In this spoiler-filled feature, we examine each main character and whether they survive until the end.

Lajjo

Richa Chadha in Heeramandi

Played by: Richa Chadha

Lajjo has the shortest arc among the main leads and she is the first main character to die. Already portrayed as a tragic figure, Lajjo was on the path to heartbreak when her Nawab lover, Zoravar Ali Khan, failed to reciprocate her feelings with the same intensity, leading her to dwell in false dreams and alcohol. Later, he is married to another woman, and she is brought to perform at his wedding. Zoravar misbehaves with her (Mallikajaan intervenes, revealing that he is her abandoned son). While returning to Shahi Mahal, Lajjo passes away, either due to her alcoholism or possibly by suicide.

Tajdar

Taha Shah in Heeramandi

Played By: Taha Shah

The kindhearted Tajdar, who was aiding the freedom fighters, gets betrayed by his father, who doesn't want him to marry Alam, and is arrested by the British for his insurgent activities on his wedding day. He is later tortured and killed by the British in front of a shocked Fareedan, for not divulging his aides' names.

Bibbojaan

Aditi Rao Hydari in Heeramandi

Played By: Aditi Rao Hydari

Bibbojaan undertakes the mission to assassinate Henderson and executes it successfully. However, this action tragically results in Hamid's death and Bibbojaan's subsequent arrest. Tortured by Cartwright for information, she steadfastly refuses to yield, responding only with the word 'Azadi'. Ultimately, she meets her demise at the hands of a firing squad, bringing the series to a poignant conclusion.

 

Wali Bin Zayed-Al Mohammed, Zoravar Ali Khan and Zulfikar

Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan and Adhyayan Suman in Heeramandi

Played by: Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman and Shekhar Suman respectively

The Nawabs decided together that they did not want to anger the British, and therefore, they would stop patronage to the Kothas to bring them to a standstill and ruin. Of course, with the freedom of the country and the annexation of princely states, these nawabs are merely enjoying the last vestiges of their power.

Waheeda

Sanjeeda Sheikh in Heeramandi

Played By: Sanjeeda Sheikh

Waheeda manages to mend fences with her elder sister and her daughter, and in the final scene, she is seen with the other courtesans protesting against the British, while Bibbojaan is facing the firing squad.

Fareedan

Sonakshi Sinha in Heeramandi

Played By: Sonakshi Sinha

After Mallikajaan's ordeal at the police station and later seeing Tajdar killed in front of her, an aggrieved Fareedan realises she has made the pact with the Devil. She later patches up with her aunt and is later seen as part of the final protest against the British.

Alam

Sharmin Segal in Heeramandi

Played By: Sharmin Segal

The pregnant Alam, grieving the loss of her lover, takes revenge on Cartwright by shooting him dead with the help of Ustaad. Her fate is undecided, though most likely, she will be arrested by the British for killing an officer of theirs. Sanjay Leela Bhansali Joins Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos for Dinner After Heeramandi Screening in Los Angeles.

Mallikajaan

Manisha Koirala in Heeramandi

Played By: Manisha Koirala

By the end of the show, Mallikajaan is a broken woman, subjected to a brutal gang rape orchestrated to secure Alam's release from the police station. The nawabs, whom she trusted, betray her, and she witnesses her power and influence dwindling as the British tighten their grip over her fiefdom. However, her spirit remains unbroken, as she leads the other tawaifs in protest against the British. Sadly, tragedy still awaits her; Bibbo is executed by a firing squad, and her younger daughter faces imminent arrest. Furthermore, with the dawn of freedom, the era of courtesan culture draws to a close, marking the end of Mallikajaan's reign.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2024 10:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).