Ustad is one of the major supporting characters in Netflix’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Indresh Malik plays the character in the show.
Heeramandi is rife with courtesans and nautch girls, some of whom dream big while some dream of their freedom.
In the oft-salacious and always chaotic world of courtesans, Ustad ji serves the role of the cunning informant, the forebearer of ominous news, and sometimes great ones too.Â
The purveyor of news
He’s no neutral person, though, as he beats contempt, hate, lust, and his own ambitions that make him choose the side where he finds the most respect and support in.
Mallikajaan, the Huzoor of Shahi Mahal and the one veteran courtesan who has perhaps the most clout and influence in Heeramandi, as well as in the political and aristocratic spheres, has little care for Ustad.
She treats him with just as much attention as most others. Ustad is especially hateful towards her, but he does respect her as a courtesan, which is true for most of the people around Mallika.
One who truly sees him
Ustad finds a true companion in Fareedan, who seeks revenge on Mallika. Ustad becomes her confidant, informant, and a committed helper. Whenever she gets one up on Mallika, he truly rejoices.
In exchange, she often awards him with valuables. She also comes across as the only one to truly see him for who he is and acknowledge as well as accept his sexual identity.
When she gives him a nose ring, he is profoundly touched by her gesture, which is a direct acknowledgment of his desire to be one of the courtesans of Heeramandi, which others have never deemed to be a serious thing.Â
Gentler shades of Ustad
He’s taken for granted and often verbally abused for breaking unwanted news at the most unfortunate times. Fareedan is an outlier among a sea of ignorant people and so Ustad becomes her best mate.
However, he isn’t a morally unsound person and is ready to take Mallika’s side and help her daughter Alamzeb when the time calls for it. He’s cared for almost every little daughter of Heeramandi, including Mallika’s.Â
So when Alam is robbed of her happiness and husband-to-be, he helps her bait her enemy so she can kill him.
Also Read: Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar summary and character explained