Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar Cast & Character Guide
Welcome to our comprehensive cast and character guide, serving as your essential companion as we delve into the captivating world of the Netflix Original, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.
Here, we’ll introduce you to the ensemble of main characters that drive the story’s heart and soul, along with the director, writer, and any supporting characters worth mentioning.
To help you along, we’ll also break down what else they’ve been in. So, without further ado, here is the cast starring in Heeramandi.
DIRECTOR and SCREENWRITER – Sanjay Leela Bhansali
The show is directed by one of India’s most revered filmmakers – Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is Bhansali’s debut into the world of TV shows after giving audiences hits like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Black, Padmaavat, Gangubai Kathiawadi and many more. Known for his talent as a musical composer as well, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has not only directed Heeramandi but also written the screenplay for the upcoming TV show.
MAIN CAST
Manisha Koirala as Mallikajaan
Nepalese actress Manisha Koirala made her Indian Cinema acting debut with the film Saudagar in 1991. Koirala’s acting career saw quite a few ups and downs until she came to be known as one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood. After Over the years, Koirala has starred in several Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada language films.
Making her TV debut, Manisha Koirala plays Mallikajaan in the upcoming Netflix period drama Heeramandi. The ruthless Mallikajaan is the scheming doyenne of Heeramandi, who rules the place with an iron fist.
Sonakshi Sinha as Fareedan
Sonakshi Sinha made her acting debut in the year 2010 with the action flick Dabangg. After starring in multiple projects over the last decade, Sinha will be seen returning to the small screen after the success of her 2023 political drama – Dahaad. As of Heeramandi, Sinha plays Fareedan, the crafty and power-obsessed courtesan who is a rival to Mallikajaan.
Fareedan is on the path to exact revenge on Mallikajaan who has wronged her in the past. Now, she is determined to beat Mallikajaan while staking her claim on Heeramandi.
Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbojaan
Born into the Tyabji–Hydari family, Aditi Rao Hydari made her acting debut with the 2006 Malayalam film Prajapathi. Over the years, Hydari has been seen in popular Hindi films such as Rockstar as well as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 period drama – Padmaavat.
Aditi Rao Hydari’s family has gained prestige for its involvement in India’s independence movement which makes her appearance in this period drama all the more special. Hydari plays Bibbojaan in Heeramandi. Bibbojaan is a delicate courtesan who showcases an indomitable strength of character after shouldering the Indian independence movement alongside the revolutionaries.
Richa Chadha as Lajjo
After making her acting debut in the comedy 2008 film Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Richa Chadha shot to fame in 2012 with her character in the 2012 crime film Gangs of Wasseypur. Chadha was also seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2013 romance – Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela as well as the 2015 drama – Masaan.
Richa plays the lovelorn and alcoholic Lajjwanti “Lajjo” in Heeramandi. In Richa’s own words, Lajjo is diametrically opposite to any other character she has played in the past. Lajjo is “soaked in tragedy, has no agency, has given up on everything. She has just started enjoying her own haplessness.”
Sanjeeda Sheikh as Waheeda
Sanjeeda Sheikh made her acting debut with the 2003 film Baghbaan. Sheikh is best known for her work in Indian Television dramas like Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa, Naagin 3 Kumkum Bhagya as well as dance reality shows like Nach Baliye and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. Sheikh was last seen in the 2024 aviation action flick – Fighter.
Sheikh plays Waheeda in Heeramandi, a courtesan who suffers at the hand of her fate. She was loved and revered because of her unrivalled beauty but everything changes when a scar on her face scars her fate. Now, Waheeda seeks to find redemption beyond beauty.
Sharmin Segal as Alamzeb
Sharmin Segal is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s niece who made her acting debut in the 2019 film – Malaal. She later starred in the 2022 film Atithi Bhooto Bhava. Now making her TV show debut with Heeramandi, Segal plays Mallikajaan’s youngest courtesan – Alamzeb.
Alamzeb is a poet who dreams of love. She falls for a nawab (nobleman) named Tajdar and yearns to break out of the shackles of being a courtesan.
Recurring Characters
Farida Jalal
An Indian cinema veteran, Farida Jalal has starred in over 200 films over 50 years of her professional career. With a lot of buzz around Farida Jalal’s return to Bollywood, the character she will be playing in Heeramandi has been kept under wraps.
Taha Shah Badussha as Tajdar
A model and actor by profession, Taha Shah Badussha made his Hindi film debut with the 2011 film – Luv Ka The End. He then went on to appear in films like Gippi and Baar Baar Dekho among others.
Known most notably for his portrayal of Murad in the 2022 web series – Taj: Divided by Blood, Taha will now play Nawab Tajdar in Heeramandi. Nawab (nobleman) Tajdar is the man courtesan Alamzeb loves.
Fardeen Khan as Wali Mohammed
Fardeen Khan’s return to acting after his 14-year-long hiatus has been garnering a lot of media attention. Khan made his acting debut with Prem Aggan in 1998. He has starred in 26 films before taking a hiatus in 2010 some of which include hits like Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Om Jai Jagdish, Khushi, No Entry and Hey Babyy.
Khan plays Wali Mohammed in Heeramandi. Wali Mohammed is described as a nobleman caught in a whirlwind struggle of love and duty who attempts to reconcile his heart’s desire while also fulfilling his royal responsibilities.
Adhyayan Suman as Zoravar
Adhyayan Suman made his acting debut with the 2008 film Haal–e–Dil after which he starred in multiple projects including films like Raaz – The Mystery Continues and Jashnn. He plays Zoravar in Heeramandi, another nawab whose affection for Lajjo “is a scorching embrace where passion burns bright”.
Shekhar Suman as Zulfikar Ahmed
Shekhar Suman is the father of Adhyayan Suman and an actor, anchor, producer, director, and singer by profession. After making his acting debut in 1984 with the film Utsav, Shekhar cemented his place in the Indian film industry. Ever since Shekhar has starred in several films and TV shows as well as reality shows.
Shekhar Suman plays Zulfikar in Heeramandi. He is an ambitious nobleman who lays his allegiance at Mallikajaan’s feet. However, Heeramandi is the only thing that stands between him and his shimmering ambition.
Supporting Characters
The show also has a wide range of supporting actors, some of which are listed below.
Indresh Malik as Ustaad
Vaishnavi Ganatra as Young Waheeda
Nasirr Khan as Choudhry
Jason Shah
Shruti Sharma
The first season of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar will be broadcast on Netflix India from May 1st onwards. The show will drop all 8 episodes at the same time. Check out the trailer of this period drama:
Let us know your thoughts about the cast and crew of this upcoming TV Show. What do you hope to see as the series progresses? What do you expect from this historical war drama – Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar? Let us know in the comments below!