Sanjay Leela Bhansali Scraps Shabana Azmi , Mumtaz’s Roles In Heeramandi

Rather  than sign alternative actresses , the perfectionist creator  that he is,Sanjay Leela  Bhansali   decided  to scrap the roles that he offered to the legendary actresses Shabana  Azmi and Mumtaz  in Heeramandi.

“They were  important  but brief roles, and they  were written with the two  iconic  actresses Shabana Azmi and  Mumtaz in  mind. When Shabanaji and Mumtazji couldn’t do  Heeramandi, Sanjay Bhansali decided  to scrap the two  roles rather  than offer the parts to anyone else.”

Heeramandi stars Sonakashi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Huma Qureshi  and Manisha  Koirala.

“The  series is being shot on huge sets  representing a sprawling  kotha. The shooting is taking longer than expected. Sequences that were  meant to be shot in one day are taking as  much as three days.”

Sources say Netflix has full faith in  Bhansali and are not  drawing any budget boundaries.

“Netflix knows about the Bhansali magic. They are fully committed  to  the project,” says  an insider, adding that Netflix is looking at Heeramandi as their  game-changer in India.