The Ajay Devgan-Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi, directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is the year’s first big release and gets the first reaction from Alia’s father Mahesh Bhatt., slated for February 24. The story of a woman who rises to power in the underworld, Alia essays Gangubai, Devgan plays Karim Lala, while Vijay Raaz’s unique look as Razia Bai has already piqued audience curiousity. The film also stars Shantanu Maheshwari as Ramnik Lal.
While Devgan is no stranger to rave reviews, Alia’s turn as Gangubai in the trailer has come up for solid praise from a section of the audience, who feel she has ‘completely melded’ into her character as Gangubai.
Alia Bhatt’s father Mahesh Bhatt feels Alia has not “tried to be different” and thus, has made her mark in the film. “A flower does not give you instructions; a weed does not want to be a rose. Whether you get appreciated or crushed, it is not about keeping expectations of acceptance; it is about being yourself, on camera, in film,” said Mahesh.
