Gangubai Kathiawadi is another period film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, set in the 60s. The film tells the story of Ganga becoming Gangubai. Who is pushed by the business of sex-phroshing deceit. Under compulsion, she adopts this profession, but the same compulsion emerges as Gangubai Kathiawadi, the most powerful woman of Ganga Kamathipura.
Film Gangubai Kathiawadi
Producer – Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Jayanti Lal Gada
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Director- Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast - Alia Bhatt, Vijay Raj, Seema Pahwa, Indira Tiwari, Shantanu Maheshwari, Ajay Devgan and others
Rating- Three
After a long wait and a lot of debate, Gangubai Kathiawadi has finally knocked in the theatres. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has no match in making period drama films on the silver screen. His films like Devdas, Padmavat, Bajirao Mastani have written a new success story at the ticket window. This thing is well known. Gangubai Kathiawadi, based on the 60s, is also another period film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but this time he is narrating the story of Gangubai Jagjivandas Kathiawadi, the Kothewali of Kamathipura, Mumbai's infamous Basti.
The film tells the story of Ganga becoming Gangubai. The one who is pushed by the deceit of the business of sexism, in compulsion, she adopts this profession, but the same compulsion emerges as Gangubai Kathiawadi, the most powerful woman of Ganga Kamathipura. Which has the power to shake the politics of power.
Which later fights to give a life of honor to prostitutes and their children. At one time, when questions were being raised on the existence of Kamathipura, it was Gangubai who clashed with the contractors of the society. Not only this, she also went to Delhi to meet the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to legalize prostitution. Why was Gangubai called Mafia Queen of Mumbai? Why did underworld don Karim Lala consider her as his sister. All this has been added to the story of the film. The story of the film is based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi's book The Queens of Mafia.
The women of Bhansali's films have been strong and capable. Even through Gangubai, he has brought a strong woman on screen but weak writing has not been able to do justice to the strong character. Due to which there is no emotional attachment to the film and the character. The ending of the film seems to have ended abruptly. Vijuvali that scene is very beautiful but it does not give you any thought. Which was the biggest need of this film on prostitution. The script has remained very flat. Gangubai gets over the troubles of her life very easily. The loud noise with which Razia's character was introduced. He could not become a cause of trouble for Gangubai.
The story needed a little twist. Due to which this film does not leave that kind of impact. Who could keep this film in the mind of the audience for a long time. Why was the bonding of Karim Lala and Gangubai so special that Karim Lala used to give so much respect to Gangubai. It needed to be shown a little more in the film.
Bhansali presents the story through the fades in and out of the lights in the style of a play. which is bitter. This style of Bhansali is not telling. Talking about acting, when this role was given to Alia, it was discussed that age maturity is required for this character. She is not in Alia but Alia has absorbed the character with her hard work. Alia has lived the tenderness, pain, tenacity of her character very well. He has made him more special with his swag and attitude. It would not be wrong to say this. His dialogue delivery is decent. In some scenes, she wins hearts, be it the phone scene or the first scene of desperately calling customers. Alia's hard work is visible.
There have been few scenes in the part of Vijay Raj and Ajay Devgan but they have been unmatched. Why is he called a good actor? He proves this once again. Artists like Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa, Jim Sarbh, fill a different color with their presence. The casting of the film has been tremendous.
Talking about the cinematography, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has shot the film in his own style. He used to find beauty in the dirty streets and rooms of Kamathipura. Big sets have been seen in the film. The last scene of the film is shot very beautifully. The background score of the film has become good. which adds to the excitement. Yes, the film is a bit weak in music. No song is remembered except the song Meri Jaan. (Meri Jaan and Dholida songs are a glimpse of Alia's memorable performance) Whereas in Bhansali's films, music is her USP. The dialogues of the film are heavy which makes the character more special. Moments have also been made light by making the dialogues a bit cheeky. Overall, despite some flaws, the story of Gangubai, a strong woman, should be seen once by all.