Viewership During the week of 29 April to 5 May 2024,
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar ranked as the second most-watched non-English television series on
Netflix globally. The series garnered 4.5 million views and accumulated 33 million viewing hours during its debut week, setting a record for the highest viewership for an Indian series in its opening week on the platform. It topped Netflix charts in 10 countries and appeared in the top ten list in 43 countries worldwide. Shilajit Mitra of
The Hindu described the series as "stunning to behold," citing its expansive production values. Dhaval Roy of
The Times of India noted that while the series "might feel like a long watch," its cinematic quality "will linger on long after its conclusion." Lachmi Deb Roy of
Firstpost awarded the series 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a treat to the eyes" and "a lesson of history."
Saibal Chatterjee of
NDTV gave it 3 stars, commending
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's thematic ambition and observing that, amid the show's opulence, it promotes the subcontinent's syncretic cultural heritage—a theme he deemed particularly relevant in contemporary India.
Sukanya Verma of
Rediff.com rated the series 3 out of 5, writing that it "mirrors Bhansali's film-making's finest and frustrating features," reflecting both artistic grandeur and narrative excess.
Shubhra Gupta of
The Indian Express gave the show 2.5 stars, commenting that while Bhansali's signature visual flair is evident, the story aims to portray the lives of courtesans who were once central to Indian popular culture. Classical dancer and founder of
The Courtesan Project,
Manjari Chaturvedi, criticized the series for conflating tawaifs with prostitutes, arguing that it fails to accurately portray the educational and cultural significance of historical courtesans. She also expressed concern that the show neglects essential references to the authentic tawaif tradition. ==Accolades==