Origin and release year: India (2022 – Gangubai Kathiawadi)
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Varun Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Ajay Devgn, Abhirami Bose, Huma Qureshi, Chum Darang, Emraan, Seema Pahwa, Indira Tiwari, Anmol Kajani, Rahul Vohra, Abhinay Raj Singh, Raza Murad, Chhaya Kadam, Ekta Shri
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Screenwriter: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Abhiruchi Chand, Saurabh H. Dikshit, Prakash Kapadia, Mitakshara Kumar, Karan Singh Rathore (based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Jane Borges and S. Hussain Zaidi)
Synopsis: Duped and sold to a brothel, a young woman fearlessly reclaims her power, using underworld connections to preside over the world she was once a pawn in. (IMDb)
Is Gangubai Kathiawadi based on a true story?
Yes, the film is based on the story of Gangubai Harjeevandas (then also known as Gangubai Kathiawadi or Gangubai Kothewali) who was an Indian social activist and prostitute/madam. She was known for fighting for the rights of orphans and sex workers as well, just like in the film. (Wikipedia).
Gangubai Kathiawadi Review
So, first things first, this film is extremely empowering. Our protagonist comes from less-than-ideal circumstances but becomes an icon of resilience.
In the film, Gangubai Kathiawadi (played by Alia Bhatt) humanizes sex work and takes a stance against the stigma surrounding prostitution. Gangubai argues with the powers that be, reminding them that if it weren’t for their work, regular women in the street would not be safe and sexual crime rates would increase. With this stance and clever business acumen, her character arc takes her from a weak girl who was once taken advantage of to a strong woman who calls the shots with a succinct vulnerability.
Alia Bhatt nailed this role. The way that she carried herself on-screen. Her presence, her emotional portrayal, everything was just phenomenal.
The romance storyline was also heartwarming, adding a completion level to the film.
Overall, we highly recommend this film as it will not disappoint you.
What did you think of Gangubai Kathiawadi? Let us know in the comments.