The first glimpse of the much-awaited Alia Bhatt-starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi was unveiled on Wednesday. The film has been directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Alia is seen in a never-seen-before avatar - as the owner of a brothel in Kamathipura, the red light area of Mumbai. The actress evokes a sense of terror and fear within the minds of the people and demands respect, irrespective of any labels that may be attached to a person.
She kicks and slaps her opponents. She also has a sense of humour. In one scene, she introduces herself as president of Kamathipura and says declares: "Kumari kisi ne chhoda nahin, aur shrimati kabhi kisi ne banaya hi nahin (no one spared my innocence, and no one honoured me with marriage either)."The film is based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai about Gangubai Kothewali, the madam of a brothel in Kamathipura. Gangubai Kathiawadi also features Ajay Devgn, who plays the role of a mobster. He eventually falls in love with Gangubai while teaching her the tricks of the trade. Alia and Ajay will also be seen together in SS Rajamouli's RRR. Alia Bhatt shared her first look posters as Gangubai Kathiawadi on social media on January 15 last year.