New Delhi: Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, dashed all expectations upon release and has since become one of the most loved films of 2022. Appreciation not only from the audience, but from all respected people around the world.
This time, Robin Baker, Head Curator of the British Film Institute National Archive, took to social media and praised Gangubai Kathiawadi as he also requested BAFTA and Academy Awards to see it. He wrote, “If I were a member of BAFTA or the Academy (I am not), this year I would vote for Alia Bhatt as Best Actress for her performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, India, 2022). She plays a prostitute-turned-underworld brothel madam turned campaigner for sex workers’ rights, and the joy of her performance is that it grows as her character develops.
The film is big, brash, emotional and hugely enjoyable, but Bhatt is sensational. There’s the added delight of the film’s references to classic Hindi cinema – from Gangubai’s love for Dev Anand to scenes of cinema set in the 50s and 60s to the countless film posters on the streets around Bombay’s red-light district. If you haven’t seen it (especially your BAFTA and Academy Award-voting friends), please go to Netflix ASAP.
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is famous for extracting great performances from his actors when it comes to his films. A real example of this was in the film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, when the director cast the best of Alia Bhatt.
Also, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ was the first real Hindi blockbuster to release after the pandemic. With the film, the director managed to create a rage at the box office along with garnering appreciation from people across the world. The film became a huge commercial success and the first real hit for the Hindi film industry after the pandemic, grossing ₹153.69 crore. domestic and 209.77 cr. Globally.