Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest venture, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, has garnered significant recognition, securing two nominations at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival. The limited series, set in the vibrant and tumultuous era of pre-independence Lahore, is nominated for Best OTT Original and Best Original Song for Sakal Ban at the festival’s Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards.

Bhansali, known for his grand cinematic vision, expressed his delight over these nominations. "It’s an honour to be nominated for the Asia Contents Awards. I’m grateful to the jury and the audiences for this incredible recognition," he said.

The nominations are particularly noteworthy as Heeramandi is the only Indian title recognized in these competitive categories at the prestigious event. The 29th edition of the Busan Film Festival is set to host the awards ceremony on October 6, 2024, at the Busan Theatre in South Korea.

Heeramandi

Image: Heeramandi has received two nominations at the Busan Film Festival (Source: Instagram)

Heeramandi marks Bhansali’s debut in the OTT space, a platform where he not only directed but also composed the music, adding his signature emotional depth to the series. The show, available on Netflix, quickly rose to prominence, topping viewership charts with 4.5 million views and 33 million viewing hours in its first week. It also secured the No. 1 spot on the top 10 trending charts across 43 countries.

The series, which explores the lives of courtesans who wielded power and influence like queens in Lahore before India's independence, features a stellar cast. Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal lead the ensemble, with strong support from Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah, Jason Shah, Jayati Bhatia, Shekhar Suman and Adhyayan Suman.

Following the overwhelming success of Heeramandi, which became a major hit on Netflix, the creators are already planning a second season. The upcoming season promises to delve even deeper into the rich and dramatic world of Heeramandi, continuing to captivate audiences with its powerful narrative and stunning visuals.

Netflix, continuing its winning streak at the Busan Film Festival after last year’s success with Hansal Mehta’s Scoop, has amassed an impressive 23 nominations this year, further solidifying its position as a dominant player in the global OTT space.

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