Parents' Guide to Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

TV Netflix Drama 2024
In gold attire, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh pose.

Common Sense Media Review

By Ty'Kira Smalls , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Romance and revolution rise in rich period drama; violence.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Sharmin Segal holds a book and pen against Taha Shah Badussha’s chest while gazing into each other’s eyes.
  • Manisha Koirala blows on the henna designs painted on both of her arms while gazing to the side.
  • Aditi Rao Hydari leans her head on top of Sharmin Segal’s head. They both gaze into a mirror.

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all

What's the Story?

HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR follows the lives of the courtesans working in Heeramandi in British-ruled India during the 1940s. Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala) calls the shots, controlling the finances, futures, and lives of the women in the palace. Under Mallikajaan's ruthless orders, many of the women fearfully do what they must to survive. Some, like Mallikajaan's daughter, Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal) openly defies orders so she can pursue her dreams of a becoming a poet. Bibbo (Aditi Rao Hydari) serves as Alamzeb's confidant and also covertly supports India's fight for independence. But as these courtesans try to make a living under occupation, love, betrayal, mystery, and murder ensue in the Heeramandi Palace.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This series is a fanciful, female-centered reimagining of history. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is grandiose, jam-packed, visually stunning, and melodramatic. The dynamics and chemistry between the characters are interesting and complex. That said, the narrative can get bogged down by details and is convoluted at times. The language, sexual content, drinking, and violence make this suitable for older teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in Heeramandi: The Diamond Palace. How did it make you feel? Did it add to the story?

  • This series is set in the 1940s, when India was under British rule. What do you know about this period? Why is it important to look back on the past? What can we learn from it?

  • Several characters have different perspectives about the tawaifs in Heeramandi? Why do you think they have that point of view? How do you feel about them?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

In gold attire, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, and Sanjeeda Sheikh pose.

What to Watch Next

See all

Drama TV for Teens

See all

History TV

See all recommended tv lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate