Netflix sent 1,000 drones into Mumbai skies today to announce the 1 May premiere of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic saga and first star-studded TV series, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar”.

The eight-episode series from Bhansali Productions is set in pre-independence India against a burgeoning freedom movement, where the final thread holding the art of tawaifs (courtesans) is put to the test.

Netflix India content VP, Monika Shergill, described the series as “undoubtedly India’s biggest cinematic series” and “one-of-a-kind”, with “a mesmerizing world with powerful characters that fight for their fate and that of their country”.

Bhansali, who created and directed the series, previously said he worked on the project for 14 years.

“Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha and Sanjeeda Sheikh.