‘Glamourising’ and ‘Romanticizing’ historical and cultural themes sound so Bollywood! Isn’t it? Bollywood has a rich history of weaving tales around courtesan culture, making it a favourite central theme for filmmakers for decades. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-awaited, eight-part series 'Heeramandi', which is set to grace Netflix screens on May 1st, is based on a similar ‘courtesan culture’ theme.
‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ has made people go crazy ever since its trailer release. The lavish sets, magnificent costumes and enchanting songs take us on a cinematic journey with ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala and Sonakshi Sinha portraying rivals, while Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal portray other dancers, courtesans, and family members in Lahore's renowned red-light district during the 1940s. Their rivalries and power struggles unfold against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle, creating an epic tale of love, power, revenge, and freedom. With every frame crafted to perfection, 'Heeramandi' promises viewers to be a visual delight that will transport us to a realm of mesmerising beauty and untold tales.
Beyond ‘Heeramandi’, here are 4 Movies around ‘Courtesan Culture’ as central theme.
Pakeezah
"Pakeezah" revolves around the life of a courtesan, Nargis, who longs to escape her life in a kotha. Despite numerous obstacles, including her forbidden love with Shahabuddin, and later, her daughter Sahibjaan's own romantic entanglements, the film portrays themes of love, acceptance, and societal constraints. With stunning costumes, beautiful sets, and timeless music, "Pakeezah" captivates audiences with its emotional depth and the struggle of its central character to break free from the constraints of her circumstances.
Umrao Jaan
Muzaffar Ali’s period film, 'Umrao Jaan', with timeless songs like ‘In ankhon ki Masti’, follows the life of a courtesan named Umrao Jaan, who is abducted as a teenager and sold to a brothel in Lucknow. Trained in various arts, she experiences love and heartbreak, eventually setting up her own household. The film delicately portrays the life of a Tawaif, highlighting her artistic talents and desires, while also addressing the complexities of her relationships with patrons.
Mughal-e-Azam
"Mughal-E-Azam" tells the tale of Prince Salim and the court dancer Anarkali , a courtesan during the 16th century in India. Their love faces opposition from Emperor Akbar, Salim's father, due to Anarkali's status. This leads to a conflict between father and son. Despite its historical setting, the film delves into universal themes of love, family dynamics, and societal expectations, while also showcasing religious tolerance. Directed by K. Asif, the film is celebrated for its lavish production, captivating storytelling, and enduring impact on Indian cinema.
Devdas
The legendary character from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Devdas," Chandramukhi, possesses a multitude of traits that make her unforgettable. Her ideologies are grounded in tradition; she embodies both relatability and grandeur. Madhuri Dixit does a beautiful job portraying Chandramukhi, who radiates empathy, pathos, and quiet strength. She falls in love with Dev despite his negligence, displaying both fragility and resilience. The portrayal of Chandramukhi's naach and ada is magnificent, particularly in the captivating "Kahe Chhed Mohe" sequence. There's a hint of imperfection and longing beneath the surface, despite her glamorous appearance. Her meeting with Paro in "Dola Re Dola" is a work of poetic motion that reveals the complexity of her personality. The decisions Chandramukhi made, such as becoming a celibate, deepen her complexity. Renowned as a timeless figure, Chandramukhi's depiction makes a substantial contribution to the film's timeless glory.
Does Bollywood ‘Glorify’ the Courtesan Culture?
Here’s a thing, in Bollywood, sometimes these tawaif based films look empowering, the depiction of the existence of these courtesans is often romanticised. However, It completely overshadows the harsh realities they have been through. Historically, courtesans held a very marginalised position in Indian society, facing exploitation, assaults and ostracization. The tales of sufferings of these tawaifs are long heard.
But Films like "Pakeezah," and “Umrao Jaan," immortalise the courtesans as more of a exotic temptresses or tragic heroines, who are extremely beautiful but suffer forbidden love. The ‘oppression’ of these, as a topic, has been not touched upon, if touched, only through the surface. The intricacies, the depth of their hardships is yet to be explored in Bollywood.
You know, the concerning thing about Bollywood's glorification of courtesan culture is that it can very much perpetuate patriarchal attitudes, objectifying women as mere dancers doing 'Mujras' for elites, rich nawabs and kings.
Overall, Filmmakers must approach such subjects with nuance and empathy, avoiding any harmful stereotypes, we all have hope from Sanjay Leela Bhansali on this. Also, as viewers, we should critically analyse the movies on these sensitive topics, pushing for authentic and inclusive representations of our history.
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