The teaser of Gangubai Kathiawadi, starring Alia Bhatt, was released on Wednesday on the occasion of the film’s director Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s birthday. The makers announced that the film will release in theatres on July 30.
The film is based on one of the chapters of Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges’ book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, a collection of stories of women who were part of Mumbai’s underworld.
Sharing the teaser on Twitter, Bhatt wrote, “Happy Birthday Sir.. I can think of no better way to celebrate you and your birthday. Presenting a part of my heart & soul. Meet .. Gangu!”
In the teaser, which runs over a minute, Bhatt is seen as the fierce Gangubai who was a brothel owner and matriarch from Kathiawad. Reportedly, Gangubai was the owner of many brothels in Kamathipura and held immense influence and power over the people in the area. She was well-known for her saris with gold borders and blouses made with gold buttons. She was also said to be the owner of a Bentley car. In the latter half of her life, she became an advocate of rights of women who were sold into prostitution.
Recently, the makers of Gangubai Kathiawadi and Zaidi had fallen into legal trouble when a case was filed by Kathiawadi’s adopted son Babuji Rawji Shah, reported India Today. According to the report, in his complaint, Shah alleged that the film and its source material — the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai — are defamatory in nature. However, a Mumbai City Civil Court recently dismissed a suit seeking a restraining order against Bhansali Productions, Bhatt, and Zaidi.
Gangubai Kathiawadi marks Bhatt’s first collaboration with Bhansali. This project will also see Bhansali Productions collaborating with Jayantilal Gada’s Pen India Limited. The film is set to clash with Prabhas and Pooja Hegde starrer Radhe Shyam, which will also release on July 30.
Earlier, Gangubai Kathiawadi was scheduled to release on September 11, 2020 but got delayed due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
