Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Genre : Drama
Year : 2022
Running time : 2 hours 32 minutes
Director : Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast : Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgan, Seema Bhargava, Vijay Raaz, jim Sarbh
Kid rating : PG-17
Gangubai finally released about an year after the teaser came out! And it is not all for nought – a Sanjay Leels Bhansali film after our pandemic drought of decent Hindi films to watch – Gangubai is well-made, watchable film.
Gangubai is based on the real life of Mumbai madam and gangster Ganga Kathiawadi, and shows us her journey from her life as a barrister’s daughter to a prostitute at a Mumbai brothel. With time she comes to own one brothel, then many, and gains power as the “sister” of Mumbai don Karim Lala (played here by surma-laden Ajay Devgan).
The real life Gangubai did work for the upliftment of prostitutes and their children, and pushed for the legalization of prostitution in a meeting with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, but the film paints her in rosier hues. She was apparently influential in the underworld, involved in drug-peddling etc., but the film only shows us her connection to Karim Lala (very sisterly, he’s protecting her and she’s making him sewai on Eid), and the illegal sale of liquor in her brothels in prohibition-era Bombay.
For a biopic this film is pretty interesting. Yes, it does get a little preachy in the second half – a little more chanting of Gangubai’s name and you’d think she was a cousin of Mother Teresa’s. There is no male lead really – Devgan has a minor role – so Alia carries the film. And does it well!
I had reservations when they’d released the trailer because Alia seemed too young and innocent-looking to play the role of a hardened pimp. The heavy, dark make-up alleviates some of that problem. A fantastic performance by Alia though – she brings, energy and pathos to this role. Seema Bhargav and Vijay Raaz as the other major actors in this film are also very good.
Like other Bhansali films Gangubai Kathiawadi also has great attention to detail. The acting, scripting, pacing is well-done. The sets are beautiful; even grimy, red-light areas look beautiful, artistic, earth-toned abodes when viewed through Bhansali’s lens. The music, especially some of the slower, poignant songs are lovely and apt.
As for the flaws – the second half drags a little. The film could easily have been cut short by 30 minutes or more. While this is an interesting look at Gangubai’s life and does offer a few glimpses into her thoughts (like the scene where she is choosing one white saree from among many white sarees), Gangubai’s character still mostly remains at a distance – we know how she is perceived and what she is to others around her, but we are never let into to see what she’s thinking. The film could have had real hold, had Bhansali been a little more exploratory.
Kidwise: Depictions of violence against women, 1 (bloody) fight scene, several scenes showing soliciting/prostitution
