In 2022, while the industry was still reeling under the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and theatres were struggling to recover from a lack of audience footfall, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi emerged as one of the films that revived the movie business post-COVID-19. The film is considered an ice-breaker for Bollywood, as it was one of the few Hindi films that successfully pulled audiences back to cinema halls after the pandemic. Undeniably, the film holds immense value in delivering a theatrical experience, and despite facing the test of time, it went on to create its legacy and become one of the biggest box office successes of the year.
The film tells the story of Gangubai Kathiawadi, a simple girl from Kathiawad who is forced into prostitution and later rises to become a madam and an influential figure in Bombay's red-light district. While the story itself is engrossing and captivating, it was SLB's direction and Alia Bhatt's acting that elevated the film to the cinematic gem that it is today. It brought forth a narrative that had rarely been heard or discussed. Highlighting socio-cultural aspects of women’s empowerment, the film left a significant impact on society.
Moreover, Gangubai Kathiawadi is one of the finest examples of SLB's cinema, featuring not only brilliant storytelling but also mesmerizing sets, a grand visual canvas, an apt cultural backdrop, and, of course, SLB's remarkable music. The film received tremendous love from audiences and critics alike, winning several accolades, including Best Actress (Alia Bhatt), Best Screenplay (Prakash Kapadia and Utkarshini Vashishtha), and Best Editing (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) at the 2023 awards. It also won the National Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 69th National Film Awards.
Gangubai Kathiawadi was the first film to restore the audience's faith in cinema in the post-pandemic era, opening with a collection of ₹10.50 crore. The film grossed over ₹209.77 crore worldwide, making it the fifth-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022.It's 3 years and Gangubai Kathiawadi indeed stands tall with its shining legacy, continuing to be celebrated as a landmark film in Bollywood