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Review: ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’: Alia steals hearts as Gangubai

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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

Delhi HC orders removal of ‘Kala Hiran’ links in Salman Khan personality rights case

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Mumbai, July 27: The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of social media links related to the upcoming film “Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy” from X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube.

The Delhi High Court has reprimanded the film’s producer, Amit Jani and told his counsel that he seemed to be drawing confidence from the fact that no order had been passed in the previous hearing.

The Delhi High Court further told producer Amit Jani, “You seem to think you are above the law. Things are only getting worse day by day. You cannot do this even to an ordinary citizen.”

However, Jani’s counsel argued, “This is only a teaser. How does it violate Salman Khan’s personality rights? I am not even taking his name.”

The counsel further submitted that the teaser does not contain any deepfake or AI-generated video.

“There is no protection over events or public performances,” the counsel argued.

Salman Khan’s counsel told the court, “In three out of the four cases, my client has been acquitted. In the fourth case, the sentence has been stayed. The teaser is attempting to turn an entire community against Salman Khan.”

Salman Khan had filed a petition before the Delhi High Court against the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy.

The teaser of the upcoming film was unveiled on July 17 and was brimming with

‘Dabangg’ and ‘Sikander’ references

The movie has been directed by Bharat S. Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani.

‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’ is reportedly inspired by Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case and also portrays his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Salman Khan’s blackbuck poaching case involves the illegal hunting of two endangered blackbucks in October 1998 during the filming of Hum Saath-Saath Hain near Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

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Randeep Hooda shares heartwarming moments from daughter Nyomica’s first rice ceremony

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Mumbai, July 19: Actor Randeep Hooda shared heartwarming glimpses of a special milestone in his daughter Nyomica’s life.

Taking to Instagram, he posted adorable moments from her first rice ceremony, also known as Chakumba. The ‘Jaat’ actor also expressed his emotions and gratitude towards everyone who blessed her on the occasion. Calling it a moment he wished he ‘could hold on to forever,’ Randeep shared his joy over celebrating Nyomica’s special milestone with loved ones. Sharing a series of images, he wrote, “There are moments you wish you could hold on to forever! Nyomica’s #Chakumba was one of them. Her first taste of rice and a heart full of gratitude for everyone who blessed her.”

The first image from the ceremony featured Randeep Hooda sitting alongside his wife Lin Laishram, who was seen holding their daughter in her lap. The ‘Murder 3’ actor also shared pictures with his parents and other family members. One candid moment captured Lin cradling their daughter while Randeep lovingly played with her. Another picture showed guests sitting on the floor and enjoying a traditional meal as part of the celebrations.

Randeep Hooda was dressed in a traditional white kurta and dhoti for the ceremony, while his wife Lin Laishram complemented him in an elegant pink saree paired with a matching shawl. The couple looked graceful in their traditional attire as they celebrated the special occasion with their family and loved ones.

For the unversed, Chakumba is a traditional rice-feeding ceremony observed in the Manipuri Meitei community. The ritual marks an important milestone in an infant’s life, celebrating the child’s first taste of solid food, particularly rice, and the beginning of the weaning journey.

Randeep and Lin embraced parenthood with the arrival of their first child, a baby girl named Nyomica, on March 10, 2026. In an Instagram post, the couple revealed that the name, suggested by the actor’s sister, carries a beautiful meaning—symbolizing “divine grace, freedom, and limitlessness as the sky.”

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Somy Ali on Aamir Khan’s wedding with Gauri: ‘It’s never too late to choose happiness’

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Mumbai, July 4: Former actress Somy Ali has reacted to Aamir Khan’s wedding with Gauri Spratt, scheduled to take place on July 5.

She shared a heartfelt message for the couple, saying it is “never too late to choose happiness.” Extending her best wishes, Ali expressed hope that they embark on a joyful and fulfilling new chapter together.

Taking to Instagram, Somy Ali shared their photo and wrote, “To Guari & Aamir, Love doesn’t follow a calendar. Finding someone to share your life with at any age is just as beautiful as finding them at 20. It’s never too late to choose happiness. A heart that’s open to love is something to celebrate, not criticize. Age is measured in years, but love is measured in moments.”

“Congratulations on finding yours. Some people spend a lifetime looking for the right person. If that journey leads to marriage at any age, that’s not late—that’s right on time. The courage to begin a new chapter is inspiring. Wishing you both a lifetime of joy, laughter, and companionship. The best love stories aren’t defined by when they begin, but by how deeply they’re lived.”

She went on to state, “May those who judge your age one day understand that happiness has no deadline. Growing older is inevitable; growing together is a gift. The greatest achievement isn’t marrying young—it’s finding someone worth growing old with. These sentiments celebrate love, companionship, and the freedom to pursue happiness at any stage of life.”

Recently, during the screening of ‘Pritam and Pedro,’ Aamir opened up about his wedding with Gauri. He revealed that it is going to be an intimate affair with only their close family members and friends in attendance.

Aamir shared, “Yes, we are getting married on the 5th. It’s a very small wedding; we are doing it at home. The 5th is a very special day for us. There will only be both the families, along with some close friends. We are getting married at home only. We only want everyone’s blessings that we remain happy.”

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