It has been more than a month since Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, auteur Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web series debut, burst onto Netflix and created and broke viewership records. It was the most-viewed Indian series on Netflix in its first week of launch, trending in 43 countries. Within just over a week of its release, #heeramandi on Instagram was trending with over 68,700 mentioned hashtags across posts and Reels.

Irrespective of how it has been received, the show continues to be a part of conversations — both online and otherwise — fully living up to the adage that you can like it or hate it, but you simply can’t ignore it.

The eight-episode series that chronicles the power and pathos of the courtesans of Heeramandi in Lahore in pre-Partition India, continues to be a part of the hallowed Top 10 Netflix list in a record number of markets. But the real evidence of its popularity across demographic and geographical divides has been the fact that Heeramandi — songs to scenes, moments to motifs — has become an indelible part of pop culture. The series has pierced the cultural zeitgeist, sparking trends across fashion, beauty, music and art. Memes, Reels, themed parties, dances and much more... there is a slice of Heeramandi everywhere. The Telegraph highlights a few.

Bibbojaan’s ‘Gajagamini walk’

Bibbojaan, played by the luminescent Aditi Rao Hydari, is one of the six principal female actors in Heeramandi. Aditi, a trained dancer, brings both grace and gumption to her part, with her performance being praised unanimously. What has, however, put her and Bibbo on the #trending map is her seductive yet sophisticated walk in the song Saiyaan hatto jaao. Called the ‘Gajagamini Walk’, the move has its roots deeply entrenched in our history and literature, and is considered a bold statement of defiance and resilience.

Though performed on screen earlier by everyone from Madhubala in Mughal-e-Azam to Madhuri Dixit in Gajagamini, the walk has come into maximum focus with Aditi’s sparkling rendition of it.

While the walk has powered its way to the Internet, there are also numerous recreations of it, many of which tip into humorous territory (for example, ‘dog move’ Reels). Hat-tips to the walk — even actor Rajkummar Rao has tried his hand at it, and owned it if we may add — as well as articles on how to ace it, along with its cultural and historical significance, have surfaced ever since the series released.

An elated Aditi, who even recreated the walk on the streets of Cannes during the Cannes Film Festival, tells The Telegraph: “I am truly humbled by the overwhelming love for Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar and was elated to learn about the audience reaction to my walk from the song Saiyaan hatto jaao, which has been trending across the Internet. It delights me to see people across ages recreating their own renditions of the walk and celebrating the essence of Bibbojaan. This experience is completely new to me, but I am cherishing every bit of it. This journey so far has been profoundly beautiful and I am grateful for the opportunity to touch hearts in a meaningful and such an overwhelming way.”

Songs & scenes

The songs, scored by Bhansali himself, have not only reached the top of the charts, numbers like Sakal ban and Chaudhavi shab have been consistently trending on Instagram. The music and dance performances have also spurred multiple dance routines and song covers.

(L to R) Sanjeeda Sheikh as Waheeda, Richa Chadha as Lajjo, Manisha Koirala as Mallikajaan, Aditi Rao Hydari as Bibbo in Heeramandi

The numbers, by themselves, are staggering. For the sake of perspective, Sakal ban has garnered 89,400 Reels — and counting — on Instagram. On YouTube, the song has 21 million views so far. On Spotify, the track has garnered over 2.4 million streams. Chaudhavi shab has garnered 83,000 Reels so far on Instagram and on Spotify, its number stands at 720,000 streams.

Tilasmi bahein has 54,000 Reels on Instagram. Within the first month itself, the song has over 11 million views. Ek baar dekh lijiye, which is trending at #3 on Instagram, has garnered 39,500 Reels. On Spotify, the track has notched up over 834,000 streams.

Speaking of Ek baar dekh lijiye, the rendition of the lines ‘Ek baar dekh lijiye, deewana bana dijiye... jalne ko hai taiyyar hum, parwaana bana dijiye’ has gone viral on all social media platforms, spawning everything from memes to Reels.

‘National Crush’

Taha Shah Badussha's turn as Tajdar Baloch has made him the new 'National Crush'

Taha Shah Badussha, who plays the pivotal role of Tajdar Baloch, and is the most significant male actor in a series dominated by women, has found a whole new fandom. Dubbed the newest ‘National Crush’, Taha’s success in Heeramandi has seen his Instagram following — the primary barometer for popularity in today’s times dominated by social media — skyrocket by a massive 595 per cent, going from 183K to 1.4 million within just 13 days.

“Even about six days ago, I was getting about 1,000 likes on a post I would put on Instagram. And this after 15 years of hard work. But just over the last four days, my Instagram posts are getting about a 100,000 likes on an average,” Taha had said in his chat with The Telegraph a few weeks ago. His current Instagram following stands at 2.2 million, with Taha making a seamless transition from the sets of Heeramandi to the red carpet of Cannes, garnering Reels and fan edits along the way.

Themed parties to brand tie-ups

Amul, known for its witty and timely commentary on viral pop-culture moments, reacted to Heeramandi in its trademark tongue-firmly-in-cheek manner. Online shopping site AJIO partnered with Netflix to launch a Heeramandi ethnic collection.

An Amul India hoarding is a sure-shot barometer to gauge popularity and Heeramandi was quick to score on that count

Fans on Instagram are also recreating the iconic looks from Heeramandi. Through detailed make-up and costumes, users are reimagining their own characters in the series.

Heeramandi-inspired dance routines have flooded Instagram, with fans showcasing their moves to the series’ music. Sakal ban even got a classical twist on the streets of Spain.

Many users and creators are putting their own humorous twist to the scenes from the series, spawning popular reels like ‘Life after watching Heeramandi’. Fans are showcasing their artistic talents by recreating Heeramandi’s posters and dialogues, drawing inspiration from its visual appeal and iconic imagery.

And yes, Heeramandi-themed kitty parties are a thing now!

eeramandi themed parties area rage. 'Mumma had a Heeramandi themed kitty party and she went ALL out,'

What has impacted you the most in Heeramandi? Tell t2@abp.in