Fardeen Khan makes Acting Comeback in Heeramandi

Fardeen Khan will make his acting comeback after 14 years in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.

Netflix unveiled a first-look poster of Fardeen, who will play Wali Mohammed in the period drama.

The series marks Fardeen’s first acting project since Dulha Mil Gaya in 2010.

As Wali Mohammed, Fardeen Khan sports a moustache and wears traditional attire of the period.

Alongside the picture, the caption read:

“Caught in a whirlwind struggle of love and duty, Wali Mohammed attempts to reconcile his heart’s desire with his royal responsibilities.

“Fardeen Khan makes his spectacular return to the screen as Wali Mohammed.”

The surprise announcement excited fans.

One commented: “Woohoo can’t wait to see this Fardeen.”

Another said: “I’m eager to watch the cast unfold, seems really cool.”

A third added: “Now I’m going to watch this only and only for Fardeen Khan.”

Although it is not known who Wali is, it is suggested that he is a member of royalty who is conflicted by love, perhaps with one of the courtesans.

Set during India’s struggle for independence during the British Raj, the series focuses on courtesans living in the Red Light District in Heeramandi, Lahore.

Also starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari and Richa Chaddha, the official synopsis reads:

“In the midst of a power struggle in Heeramandi, a young heir caught in the crossfire chooses love over succession, disrupting the status quo.”

“Set in pre-independent India against a burgeoning freedom movement, the final thread holding the art of tawaifs (courtesans) is put to the test.”

Sonakshi Sinha previously revealed how she landed Heeramandi.

“[Bhansali] has been very encouraging. We tried to work together but it didn’t work out, and we were always in touch.

“Every time I went to his office, we would chat over coffee.

“I was like, ‘Sir, every time I come to your office, we have coffee and then I leave. I’m not having coffee with you, I will have tea’.

“I had tea [and] we had the same sort of conversation and I went home.

“And then, I am in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. So, tea is the answer guys, not coffee.”

Touted to be an epic saga of love, power, revenge and freedom, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar has been the filmmaker’s passion project for 14 years.

It will premiere on Netflix on May 1, 2024.