Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s long-time dream project Heeramandi has commenced pre-production work. Chances are, this is not the first report you have seen of a celebrity being brought on as an addition to the cast.

According to the latest report, this time around it is veteran actor Juhi Chawla who would allegedly be making a cameo in this Netflix web series.

If sources are to be believed, Juhi Chawla will be joining the cast playing an important cameo in the eight-episode web series. Recently, the actress had a meeting with Bhansali where she immediately gave a nod for the role. Chawla is all set to and will soon be starting her shoot schedule.

A close source linked to the project reveals that Heeramandi will have a total of 18 female actors including Sonakshi Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Nimrat Kaur, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Diana Penty. Other names that have found themselves linked to the project are Madhuri Dixit, Rekha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, amongst others. Alia Bhatt was said to like the script so much, she was willing to act on the show with no payment expected for it in return.

Also Read; Rekha & Madhuri Dixit To Come Back Together For Heeramandi?

However, all these are speculations that remain unconfirmed by the creators or the team in an official capacity.

Earlier, reacting to what he describes as “fantasy casting” Bhansali had said, “Just because we are not refuting any of the speculative reports on the casting, the portals are going berserk doing their own casting for my film. Every day I wake up to hear who is in Heeramandi.”

The show is said to explore stories of courtesans and the hidden cultural reality of Lahore’s Heeramandi during pre-independence India. The series is touted to be about love, betrayal, succession and politics. However, newer reports suggest that the show would relocate from Lahore to Mumbai.

Reports also suggest that only the opening and the closing episode will be directed by the Bhansali and the rest will be done by Vibhu Puri and Mitakshara Kumar.

We currently await the release of Alia Bhatt-starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi by the filmmaker.

Also Read; Sonam Kapoor Is Not Collaborating With Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Clarifies The Film-Maker