Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie LIVE Updates: Sanjay Leela Bhansali film stars Alia Bhatt and also Ajay Devgn. (Photo: Alia Bhatt/Instagram)Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, starring Alia Bhatt in the eponymous role, released on Friday in theatres. The film, which was postponed multiple times amid the pandemic, was earlier premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival to positive reviews.
The film also stars Ajay Devgn, Vijay Raaz, Seema Pahwa and Indira Tiwari in important roles. Based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book, The Mafia Queens of Mumbai, the new period drama shows the journey of Gangubai who was forced into prostitution at an early age. She rises in the ranks and goes on to become a fierce madam of the brothel and a political leader. She also championed the rights of sex workers and their children.
Celebs such as Vicky Kaushal, Javed Akhtar and Shashank Khaitan have also praised the film and Alia’s performance. Vicky wrote in an Instagram Story, “Absolutely shook by the sheer brilliance in this film. SLB sir you are a master! And @aliabhatt don’t even know what to say about you… Breathtakingly amazing as Gangu! Hats off.”
While sharing how she got into the skin of Gangubai, Alia Bhatt shared, "You will see Gangubai drinking in a number of the scenes in the movie. In the trailer itself, you first see her feet and then a bottle in her hand. That bottle is always with her. I thought if that’s the case, her walk can’t be very poised. My dad (Mahesh Bhatt) told me to nail the walk of the character first. I started walking as I imagined Gangubai would, holding my sari, and putting my legs up. Sometimes, I’d switch into Gangubai mode even when I didn’t need to at home (laughs)."
During an interview with The Indian Express, Alia Bhatt talked about her preparation for her role in Gangubai Kathiawadi. She said, "My character lives in Mumbai’s Kamathipura. I worked on my dialect – Gujarati and Marathi accent. I worked with a Gujarati language coach. I speak in a higher tone and I had to bring my bass down. I also watched many old videos featuring Waheeda Rehman, Meena Kumari, Madhubala. I also watched Mandi (1983) and Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) to understand the sentiments of a sex-worker – her desires and dreams. Sir was keen that I should observe the elegance and grace with which these actors perform. He also asked me to observe their demeanour, how they tuck roses in their hair, and especially, the softness in their eyes. Gangubai is a very feminine character – she dresses up in saris. She loves gold jewellery, she even has a gold tooth. She carries a bottle of Rani Chhap (alcohol) in her hand. She is a woman who is hardened inside." Read more
Twitter user @KindaSabrful wrote, "Alia Bhatt gave the best performance by any actress in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie. Alia literally knocked it out of the park with her range of acting. give @aliaa08nall the awards and the crown she deserves. she’s the best actor we have. the queen of acting #GangubaiKathiawadi."
"Finished watching #GangubaiKathiawadi. What a performance by #AliaBhatt, definitely her career best. Ajay Devgn's cameo is superb, so is the other supporting cast. Music goes well with the film. #SLB proves once again that he is a master storyteller. A must watch," a Twitter user, @Abhi__ii, shared.
When the paparazzi asked Ranbir Kapoor his reaction to the trailer of Gangubai Kathiawadi, he struck a namaste pose, which Alia Bhatt’s character strikes in the film. Soon, the photo went viral on the social media handles and Alia shared it on her Instagram with the caption, “Best boyfriend ever.”
Ganga Harjeevandas Kathiawadi was a native of Gujarat who earned a name for herself as one of Mumbai’s well-known and influential brothel owners in the 50s and 60s. She is said to have been sold to a brothel owner in Kamathipura by her husband. Kamathipura is one of Mumbai’s oldest and most notorious red light districts. She gradually ended up operating her own brothel and is known to also have lobbied for the rights of commercial sex workers. Read more about her here.
Gangubai Kathiawadi had its world premiere at the 72nd edition of the Berlin International Film Festival. The film, helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, not only had 800 people in the Berlin theatre enjoy the dance and song sequences of the magnum opus but it also made them give it a standing ovation. Read more
Vijay Varma shared his review for the Alia Bhatt starrer.
Sharing the video link of the song Jhumere Gori, Alia wrote, " GANGU AAGAYI CINEMAS MEIN 🌙."
Genelia Deshmukh tweeted, ".@aliaa08 you were awesome as #Gangubai you owned every frame of the film & filled it with ur brilliance. A big thank u to #SanjayLeelaBhansali for bringing this story of women empowerment to celluloid. It was poetic, magical, filled with love, pain, tragedy & yet a success story."
Anil Kapoor took to Twitter to post, "The world created by #SanjayLeelaBhansali in #GangubaiKathiawadi is mesmerising! The photography, the music, the dialogues...it's like watching poetry in motion! @aliaa08 is, in one word, superlative! Still reeling from the sights & sounds of #Gangubai. What a treat!"
Many are dancing on Gangubai Kathiawadi's song Dholida. Kruti Mahesh is the one choreographed the song.
A user ర్@Sr1k4r shared via Twitter, "#GangubaiKathiawadi is so gripping and engaging right from the beginning.@aliaa08 amuses us with her perfomance in such a way that we can't take our eyes off from her even for a single frame. Bhansali's brilliance in writing can be seen clearly towards the end. Go watch for her🔥."
Alia Bhatt shared the review her film Gangubai Kathiawadi received after screening at the recent Berlin film festival.
A Twitter user @iMalfoyRKF posted, "SLB HAS DONE IT AGAIN! #GangubaiKathiawadi is a top-notch film! @aliaa08 outdid herself, what a performance🔥 @ajaydevgn’s screen presence is the usp! The trailer didn't do it justice on how good the film is, it’s much more than you expected it to be! 4/5 ⭐️."
Riteish Deshmukh tweeted earlier, "Saw #GangubaiKathiawadi last night!!! Another magical experience.. #SanjayLeelaBhansali is an absolute master storyteller. Every frame in the film has perfection written all over it. @aliaa08 you are gold! You are a fantastic actor but you have outdone yourself as Gangubai."
Vikrant Massey, Sanya Malhotra and Bobby Deol-starrer is streaming Online on ZEE5. Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave the film three and a half stars. She wrote in her Love Hostel review, "As compared to Shanker Raman’s ‘Gurgaon’, ‘Love Hostel’ has more immediacy in its execution, which makes its nonstop violence more impactful."
READ THE FULL REVIEW OF LOVE HOSTEL HERE
Do read what fans and stars are saying about the Pawan Kalyan, Rana Daggubati-starrer Bheemla Nayak. CLICK HERE
Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave Alia's film three stars. She wrote in her Gangubai Kathiawadi review, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest is the kind of old-fashioned dialogue-heavy, sentiment-on-sleeve film which Bollywood is forgetting how to make."
READ FULL GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI REVIEW HERE
Neetu Kapoor wrote on her Instagram story, "Watch how @aliaabhatt hits the ball out of the park."