Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi secures a World Premiere at 72nd Berlin International Film Festival in February 2022. The picture will be under the ‘Berlinale Special’ segment, which showcases films that have been shot during the pandemic.
Raazi actor Alia Bhatt features in the titular role, with Singham‘s Ajay Devgn playing a pivotal role. The film marks Bhansali’s 10th venture as well as his 25th year in Bollywood. “The story of Gangubai Kathiawadi has been very close to my heart and my team and I have given it all to make this dream possible,” says the filmmaker.
Gangubai was an Indian criminal, don, sex worker, businesswoman and a controversial figure from the Gujarati district of Kathiawar, India. Born as ‘Ganga’, she operated a sex racket in the Hera Mandi red light district. Following that, she emerged as a very influential figure in Mumbai during the 60s.
Carlo Chatrian, Berlin Artistic Director, Berlin International Film Festival is ‘happy’ for the film’s premiere. He says:Â “This time with a film that joins the usual craft in shaping camera movement and the choreography of bodies with a subject that is socially relevant, not only in India. From the very beginning, we were taken by the story of Gangubai, an exceptional woman dragged into exceptional circumstances.”
Backed by Bhansali and Jayantilal Gadha’s Pen Movies, the movie hits cinemas worldwide on 18th February 2022.
