Ahead of 'Heeramandi', here are FIVE memorable films based on the lives of courtesans

After 'Devdas' and 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to shed light on the golden era of courtesans in India in his upcoming series, 'Heeramandi'. The teaser video for the series has left fans asking for more. While we wait with bated breath to witness Bhansali's magic on screen, we take a look at five memorable films in Bollywood that gave us a sneak peek into the lives of real life courtesans.

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', starring Alia Bhatt in the lead, received immense love and appreciation from the audience. The actress played the role of a girl from an affluent family who is sold into prostitution. She then rises to own a brothel with the help of the underworld and even procures rights and protection for the prostitutes. The film also features Ajay Devgn, Shantanu Maheshwari, Seema Pahwa and Vijay Raaz in key roles. The film is loosely based on the life of Gangubai Kothewali and a chapter of Zaidi's book, 'Mafia Queens of Mumbai'.

Vidya Balan played the madam of a brothel in a sprawling mansion, in the middle of nowhere, in undivided India. The film is the story of eleven prostitutes who refused to part ways with their kotha and each other during the partition of India and Pakistan. Directed by Srijit Mukherji, the film also starred Pallavi Sharda, Gauahar Khan, Mishti Chakraborty, Ila Arun, and Chunky Panday in key roles.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas' remains one of his most popular and beloved works. While the love story of Dev and Paro (Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai) was undoubtedly the highlight of the film, Madhuri Dixit stood out with her performance as Chandramukhi in the film. She played a courtesan who falls in love with SRK's character, who belonged to a respected family. Although she is a supporting character, she comes across as strong and selfless in the film. Madhuri's look and performance in the film were hailed as the best since Meena Kumari's 'Pakeezah'.

'Pakeezah' is the story of a beautiful courtesan named Sahibjaan, played by none other than Meena Kumari. In the film, she is someone who is unable to break away from the cycle of prostitution until a young forest ranger named Salim falls in love with her enthralling beauty and innocence. However, unfortunately, his wealthy parents are against their union. Apart from Meena Kumari's beauty and performance, what made the film a hit amongst the audience was the music by Ghulam Mohammed. The film completed 50 glorious years in 2022, and it is still fresh in people's minds.

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'Mughal-e Azam' is undoubtedly one of the cinematic masterpieces we have in Bollywood, even after more than six decades of its release. The film is the tale of a doomed courtesan, 'Anarkali', played on screen by Madhubala. Her character falls in love with the Mughal prince Salim, played by Dilip Kumar. The illicit love affair not only leads to a war between the father-son duo in the film, but also leads Anarkali onto a path of loneliness, heartbreak, and self-destruction.