A Bhansali film. It may not be his best effort but definitely, is a cut above the commonplace.
The first biggie Bollywood release after the Omicron wave; it was a pleasure to watch Gangubai Kathiawadi streaming it at home. Indeed, the theatrical experience can never be matched by any home theatre system- however big.
Films like these are meant for theatres only. The film starts with a close up shot of an under-rage girl being decked up for sale. As her nose is forcibly pierced, you see blood oozing out and dripping from her chin. This chilling scene sets the tone of the supposed biopic on a real life madame of Kamathipura who was sold in to flesh trade by her suitor and then rose through the ranks to become a mafia queen cum political bigwig of that entire area.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a master craftsman and his visuals are always mesmerising. Here, he literally turns the innards of Mumbai’s Grant Road in to a desi Moulin Rouge. The sets are fabulously authentic and I was particularly impressed with the way they have recreated the Alfred and New Roshan Talkies in that locality. The entire first half keeps you thoroughly engaged as we see Alia Bhatt transform from the innocent Ganga to dhandewali Gangu and finally to Gangubai, the President of Kamathipura. Her trajectory is superbly executed and I particularly liked her short lived affair with a much younger tailor called Afsaan (Shantanu Maheshwari). The scene where she bathes in front of him is truly erotic without being vulgar. It reflects the class of Bhansali!!
Post interval, Gangubai morphs in to a long drawn political drama as she turns a crusader of women rights and pushes for legalising flesh trade. Her much touted meeting with then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru however seems abrupt and badly edited. The climax too lacks punch. Of the cast, Ajay Devgn and his introductory walk is truly a wow moment! Vijay Raaz excels in a small role of Gangubai’s competitor. Chhaya Kadam leaves her mark as well. Jim Sarbh deserves a special mention though his character appears only in the second half.
All said and endured, Gangubai Kathiawadi still works as a Bhansali film. It may not be his best effort but definitely, is a cut above the commonplace. Bollywood buffs should watch it. However at 2hrs 32 mins the movie was extremely long and all of the songs were a complete hindrance and nuisance to the continuity of the film. Movies like these although quite good,have absolutely no repeat value whatsover. In other words after 5 or 10 years this motion picture is definitely not one you will ever want to watch again. Once is definitely enough!
