Gangubai Kathiawadi, the upcoming Hindi film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali starring Alia Bhatt, ran into trouble after Maharashtra Congress MLA Amin Patel demanded on Monday that the film’s title be changed as it maligns the name of Kathiawadi city, a PTI report said.
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. Bhatt features as Gangubai Kathiawadi, who was one of the most influential women in Kamathipura and owner of many brothels in the area, a red-light district in Mumbai.
According to PTI, speaking in the state Assembly, Patel, who represents south Mumbai’s Mumbadevi constituency, said that the Kamathipura area has undergone several changes over the years. “It is not the same as it was in the 1950s. Women there are excelling in different professions. The film’s title also maligns the name of Kathiawad city. The name of the film should be changed.”
He urged the state government to look into the matter and intervene.
Recent reports suggested that the film’s teaser was not well appreciated by the residents of Kamathipura. According to a report in India.com, an official statement released by the residents said that the film “is a blatant misrepresentation and an attempt to malign the 200 years of the actual history of Kamathipura”.
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“The residents have worked hard to erase the social stigma attached to the name of Kamathipura, and this movie is extremely damaging to the current and future generations of Kamathipura. Once again a few people are looking to monetize from the suffering of others and this time the residents of Kamathipura are choosing to not suffer in silence. Hundreds of residents of Kamathipura (youth, women, children, etc) will be gathering at the center of Kamathipura to protest against the release of Gangubai Kathiawadi. They have also previously met with various decision-makers and registered their complaint on the same,” the statement read.
Earlier, the film courted controversy when a case was filed by Kathiawadi’s adopted son Babuji Rawji Shah, stating the book and film were defamatory. However, a Mumbai City Civil Court dismissed the suit seeking a restraining order against Bhansali Productions, Bhatt, and Zaidi.
Gangubai Kathiawadi marks Bhatt’s first collaboration with Bhansali. The film will release in theatres on July 30.