Cinephiles were in for a treat on Wednesday as much-awaited teaser of Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi was released. Bhatt who is playing the titular role shared the teaser on Twitter along with wishes for film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The actor wrote there could have not been a better day to celebrate Bhansali and his birthday. The film is slated to release on July 2021.
Following the teaser, Karan Johar who gave Alia the big break in Bollywood, lauded the Student of the Year actor for her performance. Johar tweeted – With Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali working together, it’s bound to be magical…. What a brilliant teaser! Super super proud of you baby girl! Can’t wait to see this on the big screen!”
Actor Priyanka Chopra tweeted she was proud of Bhatt for stepping into complexity fearlessly.
Dressed in a white saree with red bindi, Bhatt is introduced as Gangubai as she enters her Bentley and slaps and kicks her opponents. Bhatt’s Gujarati tone is spot-on laced with a sense of humour. While introducing herself as president of Kamathipura, she says – Kumari kisi ne chhoda nahin, aur shrimati kabhi kisi ne banaya hi nahi. The film is based on a chapter from Mafia Queens of Mumbai about Gangubai Kothewali, the madam of a brothel in Kamathipura. Earlier, the poster announcing the release of the film was unveiled. The film will clash with Radhe Shyam starring Prabhas and Pooja Hegde.
Also Read: Ayushmann Khurrana fans gatecrash hotel in Shillong, actor takes selfie with them
The shooting of the film began towards the end of 2019. However, it was halted due to Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. The shoot resumed in October last year. This is the first time Bhatt and Bhansali have worked together. The duo was set to work together in the film Inshallah starring Salman Khan, which was shelved.
Apart from the Highway actor, the film will also feature Seema Pahwa, Ajay Devgn and Vikrant Massey in important roles.