FAIR and interactive data graphics from a scientific knowledge graph

Gangubai Kathiawadi
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Screenplay bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Prakash Kapadia
Utkarshini Vashishtha
Story byHussain Zaidi
Produced byJayantilal Gada
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring
CinematographySudeep Chatterjee
Edited bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Music bySongs:
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Score:
Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara
Production
companies
Bhansali Productions
Pen India Limited
Distributed byPen Marudhar Entertainment
Release dates
  • 16 February 2022 (2022-02-16) (Berlinale)
  • 25 February 2022 (2022-02-25) (India)
Running time
154 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget100-180 crore [2] [3] [4] [5][6]
Box officeest. 209.77 crore[7]

Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bhansali and Jayantilal Gada. Based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi, it tells the story of Gangubai Kathiawadi, a simple girl from Kathiawad who is forced into prostitution and later rises to become a madam and an influential figure in Bombay's red-light area.[8] The film stars Alia Bhatt in the title role, alongside Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa, Jim Sarbh and Ajay Devgn.

Gangubai Kathiawadi premiered at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2022, and was released in theatres on 25 February 2022. It received widespread critical acclaim for its themes, direction, production value and Bhatt's performance. The film grossed 153.69 crore (US$18 million) at the domestic box office and 209.77 crore (US$25 million) globally, emerging as a commercial success.[9] Numerous publications listed Gangubai Kathiawadi and Bhatt's performance in the film on various year-end best films and performances lists of 2022.[10][11]

The film has received various accolades. At the 69th National Film Awards, Gangubai Kathiawadi won 5 awards, including Best Actress (Bhatt) and Best Screenplay (Bhansali and Vashishtha).[12] At the 68th Filmfare Awards, the film received a leading 17 nominations and won a leading 11 awards, including Best Film, Best Director (Bhansali), and Best Actress (Bhatt).[13]

Plot

In 1956, 16-year-old Ganga Jagjivandas Kathiawadi, born into an affluent family to a Gujrati barrister in Kathiawad, aspires to become a Bollywood actress and runs away from home with her older boyfriend Ramnik who promises her a film career under the tutelage of his aunt[a] Sheela. Ramnik turns out to be a groomer who sells Ganga to Sheela's brothel, where she is forced into prostitution and has her name changed to Gangu. There, Gangu introduces labour rights by advocating for prostitutes to observe days off from work once a week. One night, sadistic local goon Shaukat violently assaults Gangu, leaving her hospitalised. Hoping for justice, Gangu goes to Shaukat's principled boss, mafia leader Rahim Lala, who is impressed with her confidence. Declaring her to be his sister, Rahim brutally beats Shaukat when he reappears at the brothel, causing Gangu to earn the adoration of fellow prostitutes. Nine years later, Gangu becomes the brothel's madame after Sheela's death. Henceforth, she is referred to as Gangubai[b], and goes on to become a powerful figure in Kamathipura, the red-light district of Bombay.

In 1962, 14-year-old Madhu from Ratnagiri District is sold into prostitution at a brothel in Kamathipura. Unable to force her into becoming a sex worker, procurer Rashmibai requests Gangubai to persuade her. Gangubai meets Madhu and shares her story, eventually sending her back. Gangubai decides to stand as a candidate in the presidential elections of Kamathipura against the incumbent, a ruthless hijra named Raziabai, who has won unopposed the last two years. With Rahim's help, Gangubai arranges illegal alcohol sales from her brothel to raise money and improve the living standards of the prostitutes. After Raziabai's failed attempt at arresting Gangubai, she broadcasts free movies in her neighbourhood, attracting Raziabai's supporters. Furthermore, she arranges a marriage between Roshni, the virgin daughter of fellow prostitute Kusum, and Afsaan, a Muslim tailor with whom she had a brief romance, by paying their dowry and throwing a grand celebration[c], gaining further support. Gangubai wins the elections and starts advocating for the civil rights of prostitutes. While in office, she gets to call her family for the first time in twelve years and finds out her father has died and her family has not forgiven her for running away.

After a grand Navaratri celebration and a voluntary business refrain[d], Rahim informs Gangubai that a nearby Catholic girls' school has started a campaign to evict prostitutes from the area over concerns of negative influences while a local builder wants to demolish the brothels to construct skyscrapers on their land. Gangubai protests, stating the prostitutes of Kamathipura will be homeless if evicted, and Rahim intimidates the builder's agent. Gangubai visits the school principal to get the children from her brothel admitted into the school, paying their fees for five years and suggesting the implementation of their right to education as a better way to abolish sex trade than forceful eviction. The girls are enrolled in front of sympathetic newspaper journalist Hamid but are thrown out on their first day. Hamid decides to publish Gangubai's interview regarding the campaign in his newspaper to support her cause. Meanwhile, her friend Kamli dies after giving birth, and Gangubai takes in her child, Pammi.

Hamid arranges for Gangubai to deliver a speech at a feminist meeting held at Azad Maidan. In her speech, Gangubai highlights misogynistic societal viewpoints against her community, which label prostitutes as immoral and deprive their children of basic human rights. After her speech becomes popular, Hamid arranges a meeting with a local politician seeking her support in the upcoming elections. Since the school has filed a PIL with the Supreme Court, Gangubai is assured a meeting with the Prime Minister, in New Delhi. Gangubai requests the legalization of prostitution in the country, claiming her neighbourhood is constantly discriminated against and is on the edge of homelessness. The Prime Minister agrees to set up a committee to investigate the status of prostitution in the country and block the brothels in Kamathipura from being vacated. With the order being granted, the brothels of Kamathipura are prevented from being evicted, and Gangubai is widely celebrated in her area for her influence[e] and social activism.

Cast

  • Alia Bhatt as Gangubai Kathiawadi, a female mafia don and a brothel madame in Kamathipura (character loosely based on Gangubai Kothewali)
  • Ajay Devgn as Rahim Lala, a mafia don of South Bombay of Afghan origins & Gangubai's sworn brother (character loosely based on Karim Lala)[14]
  • Shantanu Maheshwari as Afsaan Badr-ur-Razzaq, a tailor from Calcutta who came to Bombay for learning the trade from his uncle.
  • Vijay Raaz as Raziabai, a castrated male sex-worker of Kamathipura
  • Indira Tiwari as Kamli, a prostitute who became Gangu's best friend & worked in the same brothel
  • Seema Pahwa as Sheela, the madame who purchased Ganga
  • Varun Kapoor as Ramnik Lal, a pimp who pretended to be in love with Gangu & then proceeded to sell her into prostitution.[citation needed]
  • Jim Sarbh as Hamid Faizi, a journalist working for the Bombay Urdu Times
  • Rahul Vohra as Prime Minister (character based on Jawaharlal Nehru)[15]
  • Anmol Kajani as Birju, Gangubai's butler
  • Prashant Kumar as Badri, Sheela's (& later Gangubai's) henchman
  • Raza Murad as the builder's agent
  • Chhaya Kadam as Rashmibai, a fellow madame of Kamathipura
  • Mitalee Jagtap as Kusum, a prostitute who became Gangu & Kamli's friend and worked in the same brothel as them.
  • Pallavi Jadhav as Rama, a prostitute of Kamathipura
  • Kruti Saxena as Nimmi, a prostitute from Kamathipura
  • Sonal Sagore as Banno, a prostitute from Kamathipura
  • Lata Singh as Lata, a prostitute from Kamathipura
  • Ekta Shri as Ekta, a prostitute from Kamathipura
  • Abhirami Bose as Abhirami, a prostitute from Kamathipura
  • Chum Darang as Chum, a prostitute from Kamathipura
  • Baldev Trehan as Afsaar's uncle
  • Jahangir Khan as Shaukat Abbas Khan, a sadistic client who hurts Gangu
  • Faiz Khan as Liaquat, Rahim Lala's henchman
  • Rakesh Bhavsar as Jugnu, a man who tried to molest Gangu when she led a group of her fellow prostitutes to watch cinema in a nearby theatre while observing a day off from work.
  • Roshan Chatterjee as Pinku, Raziabai's henchman
  • Huma Qureshi as Dilruba, a Qawali singer (special appearance in the song "Shikayat")[16]

Production

Development

The news about an adaptation of one of the chapters of Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai first came out in June 2017 with Priyanka Chopra attached to star as the leading character.[17] The film's earlier title was Heera Mandi.[18] In March 2019, Chopra confirmed that she was working on a project with Bhansali, who also confirmed that he was making Gangubai Kathiawadi with Chopra.[19] However, in September 2019, media reported that Alia Bhatt, who was supposed to do a different film, titled Inshallah, by Bhansali was going to replace Chopra after Inshallah got shelved.[20] Principal photography begun in Film City, Mumbai on 27 December 2019.[21][22][23]

Casting

The film marks the Hindi cinema debut of television personality Shantanu Maheshwari, who portrays Gangubai's boyfriend Afsaan.[24] and TV actor Varun Kapoor to debut as the grey role of Ramnik Lala.[citation needed]

Filming

Filming began in February 2019.[25][26] Production was put on hold in March 2020 due to the lockdown ordered by the Indian government owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the film was 70% complete.[27] Bhatt resumed work on 6 October 2020, and Ajay Devgn who is playing a cameo joined sets on 27 February 2021.[28] The film was wrapped up on 26 June 2021.[29][30][31]

Soundtrack

The film score is composed by brothers Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara, while the songs featured in the film are composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali with lyrics written by A. M. Turaz, Kumaar and Bhojak Ashok "Anjam".[32] The Hindi version of the chours singer includes Tarannum Jain, Dipti Rege, Aditi Pradhudesai, Aditi Paul, Kalpana, Ruchna, Pragti.[33] The Telugu version of the chours singer includes Sahithi Komanduri, P. Sathya Yamini, Harini Ivaturi, Aswhini Chepuri, V. Pavani.[34]

Release

Theatrical

Gangubai Kathiawadi had its premiere on 16 February 2022 at 72nd Berlin International Film Festival,[35][36] at the Berlinale Speciale Gala Section.[37][38] The film was released in cinemas on 25 February 2022.[39] Earlier, the film was scheduled for release on 30 July 2021 but it was postponed due to the rising cases and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.[40] It was then scheduled for worldwide release in theatres on 6 January 2022 but to avoid clash with S. S. Rajamouli's RRR, which would also get postponed due to Omicron variant of Covid-19, the release has been changed to 18 February.[41] Later, the date was pushed back by a week to release on 25 February 2022.[42]

The film was released in Hindi along with the Telugu-language dubbed version.[43]

Home media

The film is now streaming on Netflix from 26 April 2022.[44] In June 2022, the film became the most-watched Indian film on Netflix.[45]

Reception

Box office

Gangubai Kathiawadi earned 10.50 crore (US$1.3 million) at the domestic box office on its opening day. On the second day, the film collected 13.32 crore (US$1.6 million). On the third day, the film collected 15.30 crore (US$1.8 million), taking total domestic weekend collection to 39.12 crore (US$4.7 million).[9]

As of 14 April 2022, the film grossed 153.69 crore (US$18 million) in India and 55.56 crore (US$6.7 million) overseas, for a worldwide gross collection of 209.25 crore (US$25 million), recovering its budget and emerging as a commercial success.[9] The film grossed over 209.77 crore (US$25 million) worldwide, becoming the fifth highest grossing Hindi films of 2022.[46] Bollywood Hungama and Box Office India stated that the film's box-office verdict of a "hit".[47][48][49][50]

Critical response

Gangubai Kathiawadi received critical acclaim with major praise directed towards the performances (particularly Bhatt, Raaz, Maheshwari, Devgn and Pahwa), music, production design, cinematography, storyline and Bhansali's direction.[51][52][53] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 91% based on 22 reviews and an average rating of 7/10.[54]

Bhatt's performance as the titular character garnered acclaim, winning her several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress

Sushri Sahu of Mashable gave the film a rating of four and a half out of five stars and wrote "Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi starring Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn and others is an absolute crowd-puller.[55] Mugdha Kapoor Safaya of DNA India gave the film a rating of four out of five stars and wrote "The film's narrative is such that you will empathise with Gangu, root for her and cheer for her with every small victory, but never pity her."[56]

Jagadish Angadi of Deccan Herald gave the film a rating of four out of five stars and wrote "Alia Bhatt as Gangubai is exceptionally brilliant. The linear storytelling effectively highlights multiple conflicts of Gangubai.[57] Wendy Ide of The Observer gave the film a rating of four out of five stars and wrote "The hard-hitting story of a sex worker who rises through the ranks of 60s gangland Mumbai is powered by a magnetic performance from Alia Bhatt".[58]

Ronak Kotecha of The Times of India gave a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "With whatever is packed into this drama, there are enough moments that will draw you into this world where nights seem endless and the lights never fade."[59] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "The visually sumptuous character study, more baroque than 1950s Bombay, is at once sweeping and intimate".[60] Tushar Joshi of India Today gave a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "Gangubai Kathiawadi's camera work, background score and dialogues are the three pillars that take it from being just another gutsy biopic to a film that creates a massive impact. Gangubai is a solid risk for both Bhansali and Alia. A risk that pays off beautifully for both the director and his muse".[61]

Prathap Nair of Firstpost gave a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "Written by Bhansali and Utkarshini Vashishtha, it flips the narrative by handing out extraordinary concessions to the female lead at its heart, not entirely a frequent occurrence in Bollywood".[62] Bollywood Hungama gave the film a rating of three and a half out of five stars, writing: "The Alia Bhatt-starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi is a powerful saga and is embellished with terrific moments and a career best performance by Alia Bhatt. At the box office, it has bright chances to score with the multiplex and female audiences".[63] Stutee Ghosh of The Quint gave the film a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "Gangubai Kathiawadi is a Sanjay Leela Bhansali canvas and a complete Alia Bhatt show".[64]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff gave the film a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "Something in Alia has surely changed after Gangubai. Her entire performance is about proving to herself and not to the world what she can do, feels Sukanya Verma".[65] Sanjana Jadhav of Pinkvilla gave the film a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "Alia Bhatt and the cast performances, Bhansali's visuals and a sneak peek into this brutal world makes it a definite watch".[66]

Devesh Sharma of Filmfare gave the film a rating of three and a half out of five stars and wrote "SLB has again given us a film which keeps us glued to our seats for close to three hours".[67] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the film a rating of three out of five stars, writing, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest is the kind of old-fashioned dialogue-heavy, sentiment-on-sleeve film which Bollywood is forgetting how to make".[68]

Monika Rawal Kukreja of Hindustan Times wrote "Alia Bhatt...has given a superlative performance as Gangubai".[69] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu wrote "This is easily Bhansali at his best as he has been able to marry craft with content; here, he attempts a Pakeezah for the millennials and almost succeeds".[70] Sonia Dedhia of News18 wrote "Alia Bhatt practically disappears into the character of Gangubai Kathiawadi. There's a hard-to-miss intensity in her eyes, and tenacity in her voice".[71]

Year-end lists

The Guardian featured Alia Bhatt's portrayal in their listing of the best big-screen performances of all time.[10] Wendy Ide of Screen Daily named Bhatt's performance in the film as the best performance of the year 2022.[72] Mark Kermode of The Guardian listed Bhatt's performance in the film as one of the ten best performances of 2022.[73] Subhash K. Jha of Times of India listed Bhatt's performance in the film among the top five acclaimed female performances of 2022.[74] Sukanya Verma of Rediff listed Bhatt as one of the top female performers of 2022.[75]

Sanyukta Thakare of Mashable listed Bhatt as one of the top female performers of the year.[76] Santanu Das of Hindustan Times listed Bhatt's performance in the film as one of the best Indian film performances of 2022.[77] Sakshi of News24 listed Bhatt's performance in the film as one of the best Indian film performances of 2022.[78]

Ananya Jain of Indiatimes listed Bhatt's performance in the film as one of the best Indian film performances of 2022.[79] Man's World staff listed Bhatt's performance in the film as one of the best Bollywood female performances of 2022.[80]

Subhash K. Jha of Firstpost crowned Gangubai Kathiawadi as the best Hindi film of 2022.[81] Anupama Chopra of Film Companion ranked it as the third best Indian film of 2022.[82] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express listed it as one of the best films of 2022.[83]

Deepa Gahlot of Rediff listed it as one of her top movies of 2022.[84] Aparita Bhandari of Paste listed it as one of the ten best Bollywood movies of 2022.[85] Times of India listed it as one of the best Bollywood films of 2022.[86] The Financial Express listed it as one of the highly acclaimed content-driven films of 2022.[87] Corinne Sullivan and Jasmine Ting of Cosmopolitan listed it as one of the twenty best Bollywood movies of 2022.[88] Allan Hunter of Screen Daily listed it as one of the ten best films of 2022.[89] Siddhant Adlakha of Vulture listed it as one of the five best Indian films of 2022.[90] Shomini Sen of WION listed it as one of the best Hindi films of 2022.[91] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu listed it as one of the best Hindi films of 2022.[92]

Nidhi Gupta of Vogue India listed it as one of the best Bollywood movies of 2022.[93] Scroll staff listed it as one of 2022’s best and most memorable releases in cinemas and on streaming platforms across different languages.[94] Meenakshi Shedde of Mid-Day listed it as one of the top twenty best all-India films of 2022.[95]

Impact

Gangubai Kathiawadi is credited as one of the films which has revived the movie business post COVID-19 pandemic.[96] It is considered as an ice-breaker for Bollywood since it was the among few Hindi film to pull audiences back to the cinema halls after the pandemic.[97][98] Bollywood Hungama noted that Gangubai Kathiawadi's commercial performance has given the much-needed hope to the industry that the box-office in the near future would fire up even more. They also noted Bhatt's ability to shoulder a film on her own and stated, ‘‘Actresses often are not able to do so and need the help of a male actor to get audiences to cinemas. Alia, on the other hand, stands out and she doesn't need any hero's support. Without a male actor, she has managed to deliver a film that's all set to enter the 100 crore club and that speaks volumes’’.[49]

Additionally, Bollywood Hungama further noted that, there's a belief that the cinema-going audience primarily consists of males. As a result, testosterone-driven films aimed at men would have a high chance of succeeding and fairer sex can't make a film a hit. However, Gangubai Kathiawadi's box office performance proves that even women audiences can take the film into the 'hit' or even the 'super-hit' zone.[49] Bhatt's look in Gangubai Kathiawadi inspired Malaysia's Northern Haute Couture Fashion Show 2022.[99] Deadline Hollywood noted that Gangubai Kathiawadi proved to be a ‘‘rare-breakout’’ for a female-led Bollywood feature.[100][101] Actress Bhumi Pednekar credited Gangubai Kathiawadi for encouraging her to do female-lead films.[102] Cultural professor Rachel Dwyer referred Gangubai Kathiawadi as Bhansali's version of 1972 cult classic, Pakeezah. She drew parallels between Bhatt's and Meena Kumari's character and wrote, "Gangubai may be seen as a version of Sahibjaan/ Pakeezah, who finds herself in the great modern city of Bombay/Mumbai rather than in the courtly world of the then Hindustan, just as Meena Kumari was a heroine of the post-Independence cinema, the way Alia Bhatt is of today’s post-Bollywood".[103] Outlook magazine called Gangubai Kathiawadi a modern-day classic and credited it for setting the stage for a shift in audience's taste.[104]

Accolades

References

Notes

  1. ^ Brothel madames are euphemistically referred to as aunts in India
  2. ^ 'Bai' is an honorific suffix added to the names of Hindu women in Western India meaning 'lady'
  3. ^ In India, it is customary for the bride's side of the family to organise the marriage ceremony & the groom must come to the bride's house with a marriage party to attend the ceremony
  4. ^ The ninth day of the celebrations is considered holy by Hindus
  5. ^ The Immoral Traffic (Suppression) Act was amended that year

Citations

  1. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  2. ^ "KGF2 beats lifetime collection of Gangubai Kathiawadi". News18. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022. Gangubai Kathiawadi made on a budget of 180 Cr
  3. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Budget and Box Office". Box Office India. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022. budget of 180 Cr
  4. ^ "KGF2 beats lifetime collection of Gangubai Kathiawadi". Bollywood Hungama. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022. made on a budget of 175-180 Cr
  5. ^ "Alia Bhatt got paid a whopping Rs 20 crore for Gangubai Kathiawadi. How much did Ajay Devgn make?". India Today. March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022. Gangubai Kathiawadi was created on a huge budget of Rs 100 crore which included the stunning set design and an amazing star cast.
  6. ^ "Decoding the economics of Gangubai: When will this Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Alia Bhatt film be a HIT?". Pinkvilla. 26 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022. however the delay in release resulted in the budget going up to Rs 160 crore.
  7. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  8. ^ "யார் இந்த கங்குபாய்? கணவனால் விற்கப்பட்ட 16 வயது பெண் மும்பையைக் கலக்கிய கதை". BBC News தமிழ் (in Tamil). 8 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Gangubai Kathiawadi Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Darling, you were dreadful! The best (and worst) big-screen performances of all time". The Guardian. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Films of the year 2022: Wendy Ide". Screen Daily. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  12. ^ "69th National Film Awards 2023 complete winners list: Rocketry, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, Allu Arjun win big". The Indian Express. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Winners of the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023". Filmfare. 28 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 April 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  14. ^ "SCOOP: Ajay Devgn allots 10 days to Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Gangubai Kathiawadi; to play Karim Lala". Bollywood Hungama. 8 February 2021. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi gets UA certificate with four cuts, scene featuring PM Nehru modified". Hindustan Times. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Huma Qureshi to have a special dance number in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi". Bollywood Hungama. 27 December 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Priyanka Chopra to star in film based on S Hussain Zaidi's book about lady dons?". Firstpost. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  18. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Priyanka Chopra signs Sanjay Leela Bhansali's HEERA MANDI? (details inside)". Bollywood Hungama. 2 December 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Sanjay Leela Bhansali confirms working with Priyanka Chopra in Gangubai". India Today. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  20. ^ "Alia Bhatt replaces Priyanka Chopra?". Deccan Chronicle. 24 September 2019. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  21. ^ "shooting". The Indian Express. 27 June 2021. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  22. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Priyanka Chopra signs Sanjay Leela Bhansali's HEERA MANDI? (details inside)". Bollywood Hungama. 2 December 2018. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  23. ^ "Alia Bhatt begins shooting for Gangubai Kathiawadi, shares pic of her trailer: 'Look what Santa gave me this year '". Hindustan Times. 27 December 2019. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Sanjay Leela Bhansali confirms working with Priyanka Chopra in Gangubai". India Today. 20 March 2019. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Alia Bhatt begins shooting for Gangubai Kathiawadi, shares pic of her trailer: 'Look what Santa gave me this year'". 27 December 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  26. ^ "Alia Bhatt commences the shoot for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi!". Bollywood Hungama. 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Alia Bhatt replaces Priyanka Chopra?". Deccan Chronicle. 24 September 2019. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Alia Bhatt-Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' back on floors, resumes night shooting". DNA India. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  29. ^ "Alia Bhatt completes 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'; Bhansali to start 'Heera Mandi' on the same floor". The Times of India. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Alia Bhatt wraps up Gangubai Kathiawadi, calls working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali a 'life changing experience'". Hindustan Times. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi wraps filming: 'A gigantic life-changing experience'". The Indian Express. 26 June 2021. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Jiosaavn. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  33. ^ Gangubai Kathiawadi | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Alia Bhatt | Audio Jukebox | Ajay Devgn, 17 February 2022, archived from the original on 5 May 2022, retrieved 22 April 2022
  34. ^ Gangubai Kathiawadi - Telugu Audio Jukebox | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Alia Bhatt | Ajay Devgn, 6 March 2022, archived from the original on 22 April 2022, retrieved 22 April 2022
  35. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi". berlinale.de. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Alia Bhatt is back to the bay from Berlinale". The Times of India. 20 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022.
  37. ^ "First Films Confirmed for the Berlinale Special". Berlinale. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Pen Studios to present Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi at the 72nd Berlin International Film festival". Bollywood Hungama. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  39. ^ "Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi to release on February 25, 2022". Bollywood Hungama. 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  40. ^ "BREAKING: It's Alia Bhatt vs Prabhas as Gangubai Kathiawadi to take on Radhe Shyam at the box-office on July 30". Bollywood Hungama. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  41. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi to release on February 18 next year, avoids clash with RRR". Indulgexpress.com. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi postponed by a week, to hit theatres on February 25". Hindustan Times. 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  43. ^ "Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi to get an official release in Telugu; teaser to release with Pawan Kalyan's Vakeel Saab in theatres". Bollywood Hungama. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi to stream on Netflix from April 26". Bollywood Hungama. 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  45. ^ "Alia Bhatt's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Becomes Most Watched Indian Film On Netflix". SheThePeople.TV. 3 June 2022. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  46. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Box Office". Bollywood Hungama. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  47. ^ "India Box Office - Alia Bhatt Hit Movies List". Bollywood Hungama. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  48. ^ "Classifications 2023: Six BLOCKBUSTERS - One SUPERHIT - Three HITS". Box Office India. 19 January 2023. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  49. ^ a b c "Women's Day Special: Alia Bhatt doesn't need a hero to give a Rs. 100 crore hit, women audience can make a film a HIT - Analyzing the trends in the SUCCESS of Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi". Bollywood Hungama. 8 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  50. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Emerges A HIT". Box Office India. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  51. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi out on OTT: When and where to watch the Alia Bhatt movie". The Indian Express. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022. The movie garnered critical and commercial acclaim post its release., critics lapped up Bhatt's central and grounding performance in an otherwise loud and dramatic movie.
  52. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi: Critics Review By Taran Adarsh, Komal Nahta, Joginder Tujeja and Other". Filmyhype. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  53. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Review: Check the Movie Critics, Bollywood Actors and Netizens Reaction to Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt film". JagranTv. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  54. ^ "GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  55. ^ "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Review: Come For The Sanjay Leela Bhansali Show, Stay For Alia Bhatt's Whistle-Worthy Act". Mashable. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  56. ^ "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' movie review: Alia Bhatt owns the screen, delivers her best performance yet". DNA India. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  57. ^ "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' movie review: Sensible portrayal of darkness, survival, existence, battle". Deccan Herald. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  58. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi review – gutsy Indian true crime drama". The Observer. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  59. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie Review : A visual treat, but there's a lot about Gangu's story left to be told". The Times of India. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  60. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Review: Alia Bhatt Puts Doubts To Rest With Marvellously Lively Performance". NDTV. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  61. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie Review: Alia Bhatt's biggest career risk pays off". India Today. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  62. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi first impression: Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial is worth every pandemic-fatigued film lover's salt". Firstpost. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  63. ^ "Movie Review: Gangubai Kathiawadi is a powerful saga that boasts of a career best performance by Alia Bhatt. The film has the potential to bring audiences back to the theatres". Bollywood Hungama. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  64. ^ "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Review: Alia Bhatt in One of Her Finest Performances". The Quint. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  65. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Review". Rediff. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  66. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Review: Alia Bhatt owns the show in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ruthless world". Pinkvilla. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  67. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie Review". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  68. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi movie review: Alia Bhatt makes this Sanjay Leela Bhansali spectacle real". The Indian Express. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  69. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi movie review: Alia Bhatt shines in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's tale of pain and rage turned into victory". Hindustan Times. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  70. ^ Kumar, Anuj (25 February 2022). "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' movie review: Alia Bhatt shines in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's eloquent take on sex workers". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  71. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie Review: Alia Bhatt Puts Up Brilliant Act in Sanjay Leela Bhansali Film". News18. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  72. ^ "Films of the year 2022: Wendy Ide". Screen Daily. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  73. ^ "Film: Mark Kermode's 10 best of 2022". The Guardian. 18 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  74. ^ "FIVE ACCLAIMED FEMALE PERFORMANCES OF 2022". The Times of India. 22 December 2022. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  75. ^ "Deepa Gahlot's Top Movies of 2022". Rediff.com. 26 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  76. ^ "Best Of 2022: From Alia Bhatt To Michelle Yeoh; Here Are The Top Female Performers Of The Year". Mashable. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  77. ^ "Best Indian film performances of 2022: Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi to Fahadh Faasil in Malayankunju". Hindustan Times. 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  78. ^ "Year Ender 2022: Check out list of best Indian film performances". News 24 (India). 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  79. ^ "Best Indian film performances of 2022". The Times of India. 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  80. ^ "Alia Bhatt To Yami Gautam, Here Are The Best Bollywood Female Performances In 2022". Man's World. 27 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  81. ^ "From Gangubai Kathiawadi to Jalsa, here are the best Hindi films of 2022". Firstpost. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  82. ^ "Best Indian Films Of 2022 l Film Companion". YouTube & Film Companion. 26 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  83. ^ "Shubhra Gupta's list of best films of 2022, and why this will be the year Bollywood lost the plot". The Indian Express. 19 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  84. ^ "Deepa Gahlot's Top Movies of 2022". Rediff.com. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  85. ^ "The 10 Best Bollywood Movies of 2022". Paste (magazine). 16 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  86. ^ "BEST BOLLYWOOD MOVIES OF 2022". The Times of India. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  87. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi to Uunchai: Content-driven films that have been highly acclaimed in 2022". The Financial Express (India). 10 December 2022. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  88. ^ "The 20 Best Bollywood Movies of 2022 Are Definitely Required Watching". Cosmopolitan. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  89. ^ "Films of the year 2022: Allan Hunter". Screen Daily. 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  90. ^ "The 5 Best Indian Films of 2022 That Weren't RRR". Vulture. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  91. ^ "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' to 'An Action Hero': The best Hindi films of 2022". WION (TV channel). 21 December 2022. Archived from the original on 21 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  92. ^ "The best Hindi films of 2022: From 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' to 'Bhediya'". The Hindu. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  93. ^ "The best Bollywood movies of 2022 were piloted by mega-angry women". Vogue India. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  94. ^ "2022 flashback: The films we loved across languages". Scroll.in. 25 December 2022. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  95. ^ "Top 20 All India Films of 2022". Mid-Day. 25 December 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  96. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files & RRR: How March 2022 Revived Movie Business Post Pandemic". CNN-IBN. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  97. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi, RRR, The Kashmir Files, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2: Mid-year box office hits of 2022". Daily News and Analysis. 3 July 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  98. ^ "Gangubai Kathiawadi Box-Office: Alia brings audiences back to cinemas; film collects Rs. 39.12 in 3 days". Mid-Day. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  99. ^ "Malaysian fashion models walk the ramp in Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi look, internet loves them". Hindustan Times. 8 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  100. ^ "'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Breaks Out At Box Office; Alia Bhatt On Success Of Feminist Crime Drama". Deadline Hollywood. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  101. ^ "Hindi Hit 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Kickstarts BAFTA Awards Campaign In All Categories". Deadline Hollywood. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  102. ^ "Here's how Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi gave Bhumi Pednekar the courage to do female-led films". Filmfare. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  103. ^ "The Kings and Queens of Mumbai". Open. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  104. ^ Sur, Prateek (20 September 2023). "How Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' Set The Stage For A Shift In Audience's Taste". Outlook. Retrieved 6 March 2024.