The upcoming film is a crime-drama-based biography of Gangubai, a madam in the red light area of Kamathipura. Alia Bhatt had completed production for her forthcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi, In June 2012.

In this Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s directed movie, Alia plays the character of Gangubai. One of the most powerful, adored, and revered madams in Kamathipura, Mumbai’s red-light district, during the 1960s.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has extended the storytelling journey with some of the most extraordinary storylines and a song collection that has increased the theatrical experience. Bhansali has created music and melodies that have been a part of our everyday life since his debut film. The ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ album delivers a beautiful kind of music, with two exquisite tunes, ‘Dholida’ and ‘Jab Saiyaan’ rapidly sweeping over the top charts.

In addition, in his current offering, Bhansali has given a break to new vocalists Janhvi Shrimankar for the song Dholida and Archana Gore for Jhume Re Gori and Shiqayat. Aside from the vocalists, the filmmaker has given credit to lyricists A.M Turaz and Kumar, as well as songwriters Shail Hada (for the songs Dholida, Jab Saiyan, Jhume Re Gori, and Shiqayat), Jacky Vanjari (for Meri Jaan), and Raja Pandit (for Muskurahat).

Gangubai Kathiawadi: Cast

• Alia Bhatt as Gangubai Kathiawadi
• Shantanu Maheshwari as Afsaan
• Vijay Raaz as Raziabai
• Indira Tiwari as Kamli
• Seema Pahwa
• Varun Kapoor
• Jim Sarbh as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
• Ajay Devgn in an extended cameo as Rahim Lala
• Huma Qureshi in a special appearance

Gangubai Kathiawadi has an IMDb Rating of 3.7/10.

Synopsis

Gangubai Kathiawadi is one of Alia Bhatt’s most anticipated films of her career. The official narrative of the film states, “A story based on S. Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai.’ This film highlights the rise of a simple girl named Ganga Harjivandas from Kathiawad who had no option but to accept the ways of fate and turn it in her favor.”

The story follows the life of young Ganga, who quickly establishes her realm and becomes Gangubai – the Matriarch of Kamathipura. Gangubai Kathiawadi is a story about Gangubai Kothewali’s life. Ramnik Lal, her suitor, sold the young girl into prostitution. The movie talks about how she ends up working as the madam of a brothel in Kamathipura.

Gangubai Kathiawadi Plot

The plot revolves around the journey of Ganga, a humble girl trained to be a sex worker as Gangubai, the Queen of Kamathipura. Ganga flees with her father’s accountant, Ramnik Lal, to pursue a career as an actor. Unfortunately, Ganga falls into the trap of a Kamathipura brothel after her suitor sells her to the red light district for INR 500.

According to S Hussain Zaidi’s book, Gangubai was raped by Karim Lala’s gang member, and she went to him and begged for justice. Karim Lala received a rakhi from her and became her sworn brother. Karim gave Gangubai the authority of the Kamathipura area, and she became one of the ‘Mafia Queens.’ Accepting her fate, she grows up to become the voice of thousands of sex workers, fighting for women’s emancipation.

She never held a girl in a brothel against her will and devoted her life to the welfare of sex workers and orphans. Throughout her life, she advocated for the empowerment of sex workers and their children’s right to a normal existence. In the film’s trailer, it was also revealed that she led the struggle against eliminating Mumbai’s prostitute market in Kamathipura, Mumbai.

The narrative depicts the emotional aspect of sex workers in Kamathipura and their struggles to live in this harsh society.

Gangubai Kathiawadi Release Date

Gangubai Kathiawadi premiered at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival on February 16, 2022, in the Berlinale Special Gala Section. The film was originally intended to be released on July 30, 2021; however, it was postponed owing to increasing cases and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The official release date of this film is on 25^th February 2022.

With INR 55 crores, the movie will be released in two languages: Hindi and Telugu. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai story, done in Bollywood style, would be a very searing experience. The story may cause everyone to pause and reflect on the women of the red-light area and their lives.

Where To Watch?

Recently, the creators announced a partnership with Netflix to broadcast the movie once it has been in theaters for at least four weeks. The creators also collaborated with ZEE Cinema to serve as its satellite partner. The digital rights to the film were also paid for by media executives in exchange for this.

More About the Movie

Alia Bhatt discusses the film’s extensive production and release process. She describes this as one of the most difficult and emotional portrayals and one with which she has the most affinity. She lived with it for two years during filming, and it’s really important to her heart.

A movie on sex workers is not the most popular subject; films have been created. She believes that if you offer the viewer a great character, they came from and who they have become secondary. Alia discussed the most difficult aspect of becoming Gangubai for her.

In Gangubai, this was the dichotomy. The dialogues are said to be forceful and hard-hitting. On the other hand, Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted the words to be hard-hitting yet the eyes to be sensitive.

The most difficult part, according to Bhatt, was playing Gangubai herself. It’s a character-driven film, and you must fall in love with that character. The narrative takes place in Kamathipura, a place she has never visited. Gangubai is an emotional character; she was a rebel, yet she was filled with anxiety because of her position. The beauty is in how she turns all of it into power.

Controversy Surrounding the Movie

Gangubai Kathiawadi has filed a defamation complaint against Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Hussain Zaidi, the author of the novel on which the film is based, and Alia Bhatt, among others. Advocate Narendra Dubey, testifying on behalf of the family, stated that she was a social worker and political influencer. Her children do not want her to be represented as a prostitute in a film.

The family stated that they petitioned the court for a stay of execution shortly after the first trailer was published; the issue is still ongoing in the Supreme Court of India.

Conclusion

Alia, as Gangubai soaks it all up with passion, carrying an enormous load of portraying a brothel madam, turned Don with immaculate grace. The film ‘Gangubai Kathiwadi,’ produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will soon be released, depicting Gangubai’s difficult life and her struggle for the development of Kamathipura.