Heeramandi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali to pocket THIS whopping director's fee for Netflix's Rs 200 crore-budget series

After Gangubai Kathiawadi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is geared up for his next venture Heeramandi with Netflix . It is being reported that the OTT giant has allotted a whopping budget of Rs 200 crore for the first season of the much-anticipated series.

The upcoming series will explore stories of courtesans during pre-independent India touching upon the aspects of love, betrayal, and politics. The film has an ensemble cast with several reports suggesting actors like Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, and Huma Qureshi in key roles.

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Out of the 200 crore budget, Bhansali is believed to be taking Rs 60-65 crore rupee as the director’s fee, said a source close to Bollywood Hungama . The rest of the amount will go into production costs and paying the actors, the source added. It is also being reported that the larger-than-life set in Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi will be used for the series.

Also, the actors Sonakshi, Manisha Koirala, Huma, and Richa have agreed to collaborate with Bhansali on the series at reduced rates. While the male cast of the series is currently being finalized. Furthermore, legendary actor Mumtaz was approached for playing the pivotal role, which required her to perform mujra. However, the actress has reportedly declined the offer as it would be hard for her to dance at this age.

Talking about Heeramandi, Bhansali earlier said, “Heeramandi is an important milestone in my journey as a filmmaker. This is an epic, first-of-its-kind series based on the courtesans of Lahore. It is an ambitious, grand, and all-encompassing series; therefore I am nervous yet excited about making it. I am looking forward to my partnership with Netflix and bringing Heeramandi to audiences all over the world.”

About its music, he said, "Yes, music will be of utmost importance. But we are not making a Pakeezah or an Umrao Jaan here. There are songs, quite a few of them, but the focus will be on the drama."