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Bhansali Productions and Pen India Ltd.’s Gangubai Kathiawadi (UA) is based on the real-life story of a girl who is pushed into the flesh trade from a young age by her boyfriend.
Ganga (Alia Bhatt) runs away from Kathiawadi and comes to Bombay with her boyfriend who promises to fulfil her dream of becoming a film star but instead sells her to a brothel keeper, Sheela Maasi (Seema Pahwa), for Rs. 1,000 and deserts her after taking away her money too. She is forced to become a prostitute there and is in great demand. She is a fiery girl and before long, ‘Gangubai’ becomes the darling of not only the customers she services but also of the other girls who work in the brothel. Over time, Gangubai becomes the voice of the sex workers of Kamathipura. She is also elected president of the area, displacing Raziabai (Vijay Raaz). A noble-hearted journalist (Jim Sarbh) writes a cover story about how Gangubai is fighting for the children of sex workers and their right to education, because of which her popularity soars. What happens thereafter?
The story is based on Hussain Zaidi’s book, Mafia Queens Of Mumbai, and is inspired by the true-life story of Ganga Harjivandas. It is an interesting tale and gives an insight into the lives of the women whom society shuns. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Utkarshini Vashishtha have penned a screenplay which is heartfelt and engrossing although it is long-drawn. However, it must be added that in spite of being lengthy, the screenplay does not have dull moments because there are a lot of happenings which keep the audience’s interest alive. The film starts on such a shocking note (when Ganga’s boyfriend sells her to brothel-keeper Sheela Maasi) that the viewer’s heart goes out to Ganga and bleeds for her! The audience, therefore, gets sucked into the drama right from the word ‘go’. The travails of Gangubai at the brothel house, her defiant nature, the brief romantic track of Gangubai and Afshan, the track of Afshan’s marriage, the track of Gangubai and Raziabai’s rivalry, the track of Rahim Lala (Ajay Devgan), the scene of Rahim Lala killing Gangubai’s customer for ill-treating her, the very brief track of Gangubai touching base with her mother, the track of Gangubai and the school authorities, the track of Gangubai and the journalist (whom she refers to as ‘generalist’)… all these brief and not-so-brief tracks keep the viewers’ interest alive right through the proceedings. In particular, the conversation between Gangubai, her mother and the interruption by the telephone operator is very emotional, the scene between Gangubai and the school principal, nun and journalist is first-rate, the death scene of Gangubai’s closest friend in the brothel house tugs at the heart strings, the speech by Gangubai after the minister’s speech is clapworthy and, perhaps, the best part of the drama. Dialogues, written by Utkarshini Vashishtha and Prakash Kapadia, are absolute gems.
Alia Bhatt carries the film on her slender shoulders. It would not be wrong to say that she is the life and soul of the film. All fears that she would not look the character, that she would be too petite to carry off the role would go out of the window once the film starts because her performance simply has the audience hooked. In one word, she is unbelievable. Hers is an award-winning performance! Special mention must be made of her costumes designed by Sheetal Iqbal Sharma; they are beautiful! Ajay Devgan makes his presence wonderfully felt, with a lovely performance in a well-defined guest appearance as Rahim Lala. Seema Pahwa is superb as Sheela Maasi. Vijay Raaz shines as Raziabai. Jim Sarbh is phenomenally endearing and wins hearts as journalist Hamid Faizi. Shantanu Maheshwari (as Afshan) makes his mark. Huma Qureshi adds star value in a song-dance in special appearance. Indira Tiwari (as Kamli) is good. Anmol Kajani is cute as Birju. Prashant Kumar has his moments as Badri. Rahul Vohra (as Prime Minister) stands out. Raza Murad (as Lala’s guest), Chhaya Kadam (as Rashmibai), Mitali Jagtap (as Kusum), Pallavi Vijay Jadhav (as Rama), Kruti Saxena (as Nimmi), Sonal Sagore (as Banno), Lata S. Singh (as Lata), Ekta Shri (as Ekta), Abhirami Bose (as Abhirami), Chum Durang (as Chum), Baldev Trehan (as the tailor), Raaj Vishwakarma, Varun Kapoor (as Ramnik), Jahangir Khan (as Shaukat Khan Pathan), Faiz Khan (as Liyakat) and the others lend decent support.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s direction is phenomenal. As always, he has handled the subject with supreme sensitivity. His narration is extremely mature. The best part is that despite tackling a subject based in the red-light area, he has made a human drama rather than a sleazy film. His masterly strokes are evident in a lot of scenes. His music is good but not super-hit, and that’s a sore point. The ‘Dholida’ song is the best. ‘Jhume re gori’ is also well-tuned. The other songs are not hummable. Lyrics (A.M. Turaz and Kumaar) may be rich but except for ‘Dholida’, they are not easy on the lips. Kruti Mahesh’s choreography stands out in the ‘Dholida’ and ‘Jhume re gori’ songs. Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara’s background music is extraordinary. Sudeep Chatterjee has shot the film with such finesse that he deserves distinction marks. He has given the film a beautiful sheen. As for Alia, he has photographed her in a way that she looks fetching and glamorous. Sham Kaushal’s action scenes are realistic. Production designing (by Subrata Chakraborty and Amit Ray) is extraordinary. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s editing is super-sharp.
On the whole, Gangubai Kathiawadi is a definite box-office winner. It is a superb human drama which will do well, more so in the big cities and multiplexes. The film holds special appeal for the ladies. It has the potential to do hit business in some circuits.
Released on 25-2-’22 at Inox (daily 12 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by Pen Marudhar Cine Entertainment. Publicity & opening: very good. …….Also released all over. Opening was very good at places and good at others.