Bollywood
Review: ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’: Alia steals hearts as Gangubai
Film: ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ (Running in Theatres); Duration: 157 minutes
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Huma Qureshi, Seema Pahwa, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh, Chhaya Kadam, Mitali Jagtap, Indira Tiwari, Shantanu Maheshwari
Rating: ****
Auteur Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest oeuvre, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is based on the chapter, ‘The Matriarch of Kamatipura’ from the book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai – Stories of Women from the Ganglands’ authored by S. Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges.
This is the compelling story of Ganga Harjivandas Kathiawadi, the daughter of a barrister from Kathiawar, who with stardust in her eyes, ran away from home to become an actress only to find herself sold in the brothel of Kamathipura, a neighbourhood of Mumbai famous for flesh-trade. This film unravels Ganga’s journey from a brothel worker to an activist fighting for the rights of the sex workers. In the film, Ganga calls herself “Ganga Jagjivandas Kathiawadi.”
While Ganga’s story is filled with pain and pathos, the narrative effortless makes the film appear like a sunshine film that motivates. “Gangubai mahaan nahin thi, woh shaitan bhi nahi thi,” and despite this, Bhansali brilliantly manages to portray her as a larger-than-life character, and you empathise with her when she puts forth her point of view regarding the women of her tribe.
The film is loaded with admirable performances from its ace star cast.
The film is an outright Alia Bhatt’s canvas where she delivers a flawless performance showcasing a gamut of emotions and her dancing skills with aplomb. She steals the show on several counts, be it while speaking to her mother over the phone, or headbutting with Raziabai (Vijay Raaz) the eunuch who is standing for the local elections, or flirting with the apprentice tailor Afshan Razak (Shantanu Maheshwari), or dancing during the Navratri celebrations where she delivers complex steps to an intense song in a seamlessly one lengthy shot.
It is impossible to take your eyes off Ajay Devgn who, in a significantly minor role as the principled mafia don Rahimlala is intense and intimidating all at the same time. Seema Pahwa, who as Sheelamaasi, the madam of the brothel, is fascinating. Similarly, Vijay Raaz as the eunuch Raziabai is enthralling, and Shantanu Maheshwari as Gangubai’s love interest Afshan Razak is charming.
Unfortunately, Huma Qureshi in a stage performance is wasted.
This engaging biopic contains all the tropes of a typical SLB film. Bhansali astutely manages to put his inimitable stamp into every frame of the film, which appears like poetry on the screen, emotionally expressive and attractive. The screenplay is water-tight and engaging, keeping you riveted to the screen for over two and a half hours. The dialogues full of wit and hard-hitting messages are fresh and worth mentioning. Sample this, when Razia challenges Gangubai before the election campaign, Gangubai tells her, “Tuje kyon tevar dikhaongi mein tuje din main tare dikhaongi.”
Mounted with brilliant production qualities the film is visually captivating with well-etched characters, resplendent sets, and period costumes. While the timelines in the film are ambiguous and blurred, it nevertheless captures the period from the mid-1950s to the 1960s, with film posters from that era, prominent among them being ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ and ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand.’
The music, as usual, is exceptional but a bit low-key compared to SBL’s previous films. Two songs cater to the Garba audience, and they are both fabulously choreographed and picturised.
Overall, ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi,’ is worth watching on the big screen.
Bollywood
Kareena Kapoor wishes ‘darling bro’ Armaan Jain on b’day: Can’t wait to celebrate soon

Mumbai, Nov 25: Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has shared a warm note for her cousin Armaan Jain on his birthday on Tuesday. Calling him her “darling bro”, the diva said she “can’t wait to celebrate soon.”
Taking to her Instagram stories, Kareena showered Armaan with love and good wishes, making the family moment a highlight for fans. She even shared a monochrome picture posing next to Armaan and his wife Anissa Malhotra.
For the caption, she wrote: “Happy birthday darling bro Love you loads and loads.Can’t wait to celebrate soon @therealarmaanjain.”
Kareena and Armaan are making headlines for the Netflix special “Dining with the Kapoors.”
The hour-long special brings together cousins, siblings, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and in-laws for a lively and candid celebration of family bonds. Directed by Smriti Mundhra and created by Armaan, “Dining with the Kapoors” offers a glimpse into the family’s cherished traditions.
One moment from the special showed Kareena Kapoor calling the family “funny, loving, and united,” while also highlighting their shared love for food. It was revealed that Armaan had organized the luncheon to commemorate what would have been Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary.
On the work front, Kareena was last seen in Singham Again starring Ajay Devgn. It also features Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor and Jackie Shroff.
Kareena is currently shooting for ‘Daayra’ with Meghna Gulzar and Prithviraj Sukumaran. “Daayra” delves deep into the complexities of today’s society, confronting urgent and unsettling truths that resonate with the times.
This gripping crime-drama thriller unravels the timeless conflict between crime, punishment, and justice, with Kareena and Prithviraj bringing raw intensity and gravitas to their powerful roles.
Following the success of “Sam Bahadur,” this marks Meghna’s next directorial venture, a gripping tale that brings together a powerhouse creative team and a compelling narrative.
Bollywood
SS Rajamouli Faces FIR For ‘Hurting’ Religious Sentiments Over Controversial Lord Hanuman Remark At Varanasi Event In Hyderabad

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has landed in trouble after his recent remarks on Lord Hanuman during the launch event of his upcoming film Varanasi in Hyderabad on Saturday (November 15) sparked a major controversy. Soon after the launch, an FIR was registered against the acclaimed director for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
On Tuesday, November 18, the Saroornagar police in Hyderabad received a complaint from the Vanara Sena organisation, alleging that Rajamouli had hurt Hindu sentiments by saying, “I don’t believe in God Hanuman.”
The police added how they are currently investigating the matter.
As of now, SS Rajamouli has not reacted to the controversy.
At the event that was held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, technical glitches prevented the teaser from being played. An emotional Rajamouli apologised to the 50,000-strong crowd, saying he felt as though he had been let down by Lord Hanuman.
“When my father talked about Hanuman and suggested relying on his blessings for success, I got so angry,” he said. The filmmaker also clarified that he does not believe in God.
He also mentioned that his wife, Rama, was a great devotee of Hanuman. “My wife has a great devotion to Lord Hanuman. She talks to Him like He’s her friend. I even got angry with her for a while. Let’s see,” said the director.
Soon after Rajamouli’s statement went viral on social media, netizens slammed him, with many expressing surprise, noting that his blockbuster films, including Baahubali and RRR, draw heavily from Hindu epics and mythology.
Varanasi stars Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and is slated for release in 2027.
Bollywood
Akshay Kumar & Tiger Shroff flaunt picture perfect abs during their Juhu Beach edition of ‘Ocean’s 9’

Mumbai, Nov 18: Bollywood hunk Akshay Kumar joined Tiger Shroff and other ‘Desi Boys’ as they all made heads turn during their Juhu Beach edition of ‘Ocean’s 9’.
The video posted by Akshay on social media had all of them walking in the water at Mumbai’s Juhu Beach. Going bare-chested, both Akshay and Tiger were seen flaunting their chiseled physique and perfect abs.
“Ocean’s 9: Juhu Beach edition (sic),” Akshay captioned the post.
Awestruck by Akshay’s fitness even at 58, an Insta user penned the comment, “Body physique in this age unbelievable (sic).”
Another one shared, “Six pack Akshay Kumar ki 58 age me v wow”.
The third comment read, “Ohh my god Look at the Akshay Kumar fitness at this age”.
One of the cybercitizens wrote, “Make some noise for the Desi boyz.”
Akshay is often seen turning cheerleader for Tiger, with whom he shared the screen in the 2024 science fiction action entertainer “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan”.
Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and backed by Pooja Entertainment, the project is a modern adaptation of the 1998 classic of the same name.
Over and above this, Akshay collaborated with Tiger for the second time in Rohit Shetty’s cop drama “Singham Again.”
Enjoying a strong bond, Akshay and Tiger keep entertaining the netizens with their fun banter on social media.
In 2024, the ‘Airlift’ actor shared a heartfelt note for Tiger, lauding his unwavering dedication to fitness. Akshay revealed that the ‘Baaghi’ actor inspires him to push the envelope.
“Tere saath yeh shoot karke badiya feel aa rahi hai, Tiger. We are doing amazing stunts, we talk fitness, we work out, and then we play volleyball till we crash. I feel rejuvenated, I feel young from inside and this surge of fitness is making me realise that 55 is the age just on my birth certificate. (sic),” he said.
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