Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali finds himself confronted by yet another film title change. The Supreme Court has suggested that Mr Bhansali change the name of his new movie Gangubai Kathiawadi, releasing this Friday. The court has made the suggestion in light of the several cases pending before courts seeking to halt its release. The lawyer for Bhansali Productions, Siddhartha Dave, informed the top court today that he will seek instructions from his client about the suggestion. The Supreme Court will continue hearing the matter tomorrow.
Several cases have been filed against the movie seeking to halt its release – Gangubai Kathaiwadi is based on the real-life sex worker who rose to political prominence in the neighbourhood of Kamathipura in Mumbai. Among these cases is one by Babu Ravji Shah, the real Gangubai's adopted son.
Gangubai Kathiawadi is adapted from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai and stars Alia Bhatt in the title role.
Babu Ravji Shah alleges that the film is defamatory towards his mother. He has challenged an order from the Bombay High Court which refused to stay the release of the film. There are a slew of complaints filed against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film, including one by Maharashtra MLA Amin Patel and Kamathipura resident Shraddha Surve, reported news agency ANI.
If Gangubai Kathiawadi is subjected to a name change, it will be the latest in other films by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to be released with a different title after Goliyon Ka Raasleela Ram-Leela and Padmaavat.
Alia Bhatt, whose performance as Gangubai Kathiawadi in the film's trailer has been widely acclaimed, told news agency ANI that the controversy about the film doesn't faze her. "Neither any controversy nor any comment bothers me. I don't think anything bothers me beyond a point. Of course, I feel like there's a certain novelty that just a part of a film holds...whether the film is a good film or a bad film ..that doesn't matter. The audience makes their final decision only after watching the film.. nothing that happens before or after can really change the fate,” she said.
Gangubai Kathiawadi co-stars Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh and Seema Pahwa. Ajay Devgn appears as mafia don Karim Lala.