Bollywood ace filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered a role in his OTT debut web series Heeramandi to veteran Bollywood legend Mumtaz last year. The Aap Ki Kasam actress heard the script and realized her role was very mediocre and politely declined the role. 

The Padmaavat director however was determined to get the actress on board and tweaked her part to make it more meatier. Thus Mumtaz finally found the role good enough for her acting comeback after nearly 2 decades. 

Heeramandi will tell the tale of courtesans and their colorful life in pre-independence India. The web series is partly directed by Bhansali. It will premiere soon on Netflix and also stars Manisha Koirala in the lead.