Gangubai Kathiawadi

Name: Gangubai Kathiawadi
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Genre: Crime
Released: 2022-02-25
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Mixed How TezScore works IMDb 7.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes 91%

154 min 25 Feb 2022

Wikipedia IMDb

Synopsis

Gangubai Kathiawadi

In 1944, 16-year-old Ganga Jagjivandas Kathiawadi, born into an affluent family to a Gujarati Hindu barrister in Kathiawad, aspires to become a Hindi cinema actress and runs away from home with her older boyfriend Ramnik who promises her a film career under the tutelage of his aunt Sheela. Ramnik turns out to be a groomer who sells Ganga to Sheela's brothel, where she is forced into prostitution and has her name changed to Gangu. There, Gangu introduces labour rights by advocating for prostitutes to observe days off from work once a week. One night, a sadistic local goon Shaukat violently assaults Gangu, leaving her hospitalised. Hoping for justice, Gangu goes to Shaukat's principled boss, Afghan mafia leader Rahim Lala, who is impressed with her confidence. Declaring her to be his sister, Rahim brutally beats Shaukat when he reappears at the brothel, causing Gangu to earn the adoration of fellow prostitutes. Ten years later, Gangu becomes the brothel's madame after Sheela's death. Henceforth, she is referred to as Gangubai, and goes on to become a powerful figure in Kamathipura, the red-light district of Bombay. In 1962, 14-year-old Madhu from Ratnagiri District is sold into prostitution at a brothel in Kamathipura. Unable to force her into becoming a sex worker, procurer Rashmibai requests Gangubai to persuade her. Gangubai meets Madhu and shares her story, eventually sending her back.

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Release: 25 Feb 2022
Run time: 154 min
Language: Hindi

Reviews

Indian-media reviews, grouped by reception.

Critics' consensus

Mixed

Across 2 available source-linked Indian-media reviews for Gangubai Kathiawadi, reception is mixed.

IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes are reference ratings and are not counted as Indian-media reviews.

Best forViewers looking for crime and drama in Hindi cinema.

Reception Order

All 2 reviews shown

Bollywood Hungama

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's direction is first-rate. He ensures the viewers get zapped into the world of Gangubai and Kamathipura. He has given some accomplished films in the past and hence, one doesn’t expect an ordinary product from him. In this regard, he doesn’t disappoint. He has helmed the story beautifully and sensitively and has also added the grandeur the way only he could have achieved. Gangubai’s pain comes out very well and everyone can empathize with her. At the same time, for most parts, the film is not disturbing and is quite mainstream in its treatment. However, the romantic portion between Gangubai and Afsaan (Shantanu Maheshwari) could have been shorter as this is when the film gets a bit slow. The second half is engaging but for the single-screen audience, it doesn’t offer mass entertainment.

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India Today

Gangubai is not perfect. The film is about the choices she makes. There is very little emphasis on the wrong turns she makes in her journey to reach the top and meet the Prime Minister of the country to champion her cause. Gangubai Kathiawadi’s camera work, background score and dialogues are the three pillars that take it from being just another gutsy biopic to a film that creates a massive impact. Gangubai is a solid risk for both Bhansali and Alia. A risk that pays off beautifully for both the director and his muse.

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