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Who was Gangubai Kathiawadi?

On the occasion of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 58th birthday, Gangubai Kathiawadi teaser has been released by the makers.

The movie is based on the life of one of the famous madams from brothels in Mumbai’s infamous red light area, Kamathipura.

It stars Alia Bhatt in the titular role and also has a special appearance by actor Ajay Devgn.

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Gangubai Kothewali, in the 1960s, was owner of many brothels and wielded immense power and influence in Mumbai.

Gangubai was born in Kathiawad, Gujarat, into a family of lawyers.

She ran away from home with one of her father’s clerk to become an actress in Mumbai.

On reaching Mumbai, she found the reality to be very different – her lover sold her off in Kamathipura for a sum of ₹500.

In time, her fame grew and she became one of the most prized sex workers of Kamathipura.

Soon, with the help of underworld don Karim Lala, she became a powerful figure.

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Gangubai was well-known for her saris with gold borders and sari blouses with gold buttons.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has used a chapter from S. Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’ to make this film.

Babuji Rawji Shah, who claimed to be Kathiawadi’s adopted son, filed a suit against Bhansali, Alia and Hussain Zaidi.

In 2020, Shah claimed the chapter of Zaidi’s book, from which Bhansali’s film is adapted, was false, wrong and portrayed a negative image of his mother, showing her to be a sex worker, a mafia queen, and running a brothel in an area with links to underworld gangsters.

However, the court accepted the arguments made on behalf of the filmmaker.

WATCH VIDEO: Gangubai Kathiawadi | Official Teaser | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Alia Bhatt | 30th July 2021

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