"Gangubai Kathiawadi" is the gritty biopic of the Ganga, a chirpy, dreamy, and loving young girl who was sold off for flesh trade in Bombay and her eventual metamorphosis into Gangubai, the underworld mafia queen who worked relentlessly for the welfare and uplifting of the lives of the sex workers in Kamathipura. Written by and also part produced by S. Hussain Zaidi, this Sanjay Leela Bhansali magnum opus is mounted on an artistic, larger-than-life film with opulent production values and sanitised studio sets that are a hallmark of all SLB films.
Ganga has to undergo severe trials and tribulations from an early age after being sold off by someone who she believed was faithful, including violence that left her ripped apart. But, she remains dogged in her ambition to legitimise prostitution and bring dignity to the oldest profession in the world whilst relentlessly working for the uplifting of the community of sex workers. She finds support to her cause in Rahim Lala, the then powerful underworld mafia king in Bombay, and an earnest journalist, Fezi, who give her the shot in the arm, but she also has her share of detractors including the very society that the profession operates in and her peer group leaders.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali treats the subject with silk gloves and weaves almost a poetic fabric to the real-life character of Gangubai without resorting to commercial distractions. Although the sets appear spotless and sanitised, and verbal communication remains hugely civil, the film doesn't fail to showcase the multitude of the emotional journey of Gangubai from the young Ganga to the matriarch she grew into, much revered by her coworkers and peers who recognised her selfless efforts. Alas, the duel between Gangu (Alia Bhatt) and Raziabai (Vijay Raaz), slowly turning into a finger licking war, was aborted prematurely, and we could have done with a little more of. Instead, SLB took long to portray the romantic interlude in her adult life that showed her vulnerable, soft corner of her character, and this aspect slowed down the film midway. No harm done, though!
Alia Bhatt just nails it in the titular role. She combines all her skills of the craft into the labyrinth of Gangubai's character and us reminiscent of what once Madhuri Dixit had set out. She establishes herself as a multifaceted talent that can take on many more challenging roles. Ajay Devgn is brief, poised, powerful, and sophisticated. Shantanu Maheshwari is shy and pleasant. Jim Sarbh as the journalist, is perfect. But two performances must receive a special mention of - Vijay Raaz as Raziabai was terrific and menacing, and Seema Pahwa as Sheila Masi was a hoot! This SLB venture helped turn a subject like prostitution and sex trade into an immensely watchable family drama, yet didn't fall short of going the whole nine yards.
Ganga has to undergo severe trials and tribulations from an early age after being sold off by someone who she believed was faithful, including violence that left her ripped apart. But, she remains dogged in her ambition to legitimise prostitution and bring dignity to the oldest profession in the world whilst relentlessly working for the uplifting of the community of sex workers. She finds support to her cause in Rahim Lala, the then powerful underworld mafia king in Bombay, and an earnest journalist, Fezi, who give her the shot in the arm, but she also has her share of detractors including the very society that the profession operates in and her peer group leaders.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali treats the subject with silk gloves and weaves almost a poetic fabric to the real-life character of Gangubai without resorting to commercial distractions. Although the sets appear spotless and sanitised, and verbal communication remains hugely civil, the film doesn't fail to showcase the multitude of the emotional journey of Gangubai from the young Ganga to the matriarch she grew into, much revered by her coworkers and peers who recognised her selfless efforts. Alas, the duel between Gangu (Alia Bhatt) and Raziabai (Vijay Raaz), slowly turning into a finger licking war, was aborted prematurely, and we could have done with a little more of. Instead, SLB took long to portray the romantic interlude in her adult life that showed her vulnerable, soft corner of her character, and this aspect slowed down the film midway. No harm done, though!
Alia Bhatt just nails it in the titular role. She combines all her skills of the craft into the labyrinth of Gangubai's character and us reminiscent of what once Madhuri Dixit had set out. She establishes herself as a multifaceted talent that can take on many more challenging roles. Ajay Devgn is brief, poised, powerful, and sophisticated. Shantanu Maheshwari is shy and pleasant. Jim Sarbh as the journalist, is perfect. But two performances must receive a special mention of - Vijay Raaz as Raziabai was terrific and menacing, and Seema Pahwa as Sheila Masi was a hoot! This SLB venture helped turn a subject like prostitution and sex trade into an immensely watchable family drama, yet didn't fall short of going the whole nine yards.