Gangubai Kathiawadi is a upcoming Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Jayantilal Gada and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film stars Alia Bhatt, along with Vijay Raaz , Indira Tiwari and Seema Pahwa playing Pivotal roles, Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi featured in a cameo appearance. The narrative walks through the life of young Ganga who in no time marks her own territory and becomes Gangubai – a madame in the red light area of Kamathipura.
The film is loosely based on a true story, on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai written by S. Hussain Zaidi. The film that depicts the rise of a simple girl from Kathiawad who had no choice but to embrace the ways of destiny and swing it in her favour.
Premise
The film is about the life of Gangubai Kothewali, a young girl sold into prostitution by her suitor Ramnik Lal, and how she becomes the madam of a brothel in Kamathipura.
Cast
- Alia Bhatt as Ganga Harjivandas / Gangubai Kothewali, Ramnik’s wife
- Shantanu Maheshwari as Ramnik Lal, Ganga’s husband
- Vijay Raaz
- Indira Tiwari
- Rohit Sukhwani
- Seema Pahwa
- Cameo appearances
- Ajay Devgn as Karim Lala
- Emraan Hashmi
Production
After Priyanka Chopra (who was almost locked for leading role) backed out due to date issues and Rani Mukerji declined the offer, it was officially announced in September 2019 that Alia Bhatt will be playing the main character in Gangubai Kathiawadi. Principal photography begun in Mumbai on 27 December 2019.
The film marks the Bollywood debut of television personality Shantanu Maheshwari, who portrays Gangubai’s boyfriend Ramnik Lal. Production was put on hold in March 2020 due to the lockdown ordered by the Indian government owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the film was 70% complete. Bhatt resumed work on 6 October 2020, and Ajay Devgn who is playing a cameo joined sets on 27 February 2021.