Before Gangubai Kathiawadi, These Hindi Films That Focused On Sex Workers

The newly released movie starring Alia Bhatt, 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' is receiving all hearts for showing a genre that is looked down upon. However, Gangubai Kathiawadi is not the only film based on the not-so-talked-about topic. The Indian film industry has produced several films about sex workers and their lives. Most of these movies depict society's outlook towards the sex workers or their plight. The audience has become more receptive to real-life human issues and likes watching movies based on such subjects.

Before Gangubai Kathiawadi, List Of Hindi Films That Focused On Sex Workers-

1. Begum Jaan

Srijit Mukherji directed Begum Jaan is a Hindi drama film. The character of Begum Jaan is a prostitute who owns a brothel which she sees more as her home. During the Pakistan-India partition, this home is ordered to be demolished.  This is mainly due to the division of land along the Radcliffe Line. Begum Jaan lives halfway between Shakargarh and Dorangla with many sex workers. She lives with other women who are also into sex work and refuse to leave.  All these women were either abandoned or shunned by their families for doing sex work.

2. Kalank

Kalank is a Hindi film that traces back its story from the British era. The story narrates the account of how blacksmiths and sex workers stood together and overcame the British after a valiant fight. Bahar Begum, played by Madhuri Dixit lives in a town of elites but refuses to live on someone's terms. Madhuri Dixit’s character, who runs a brothel,  also teaches Kathak to young girls.

3. Lakshmi

Lakshmi is an hindi movie  about a little girl named Lakshmi. On growing up she is kidnapped and later sold into prostitution. The movie unfurls the reality of human trafficking and child prostitution. Lakshmi faces a lot of struggles but shows immense courage and finally manages to break free with the help of other girls with her.

4. Umrao Jaan

The Muzaffar Ali-directed Umrao Jaan in a way depicts Lucknow’s tawaif culture. The film revolves around a girl named Amiran who is sold into prostitution by a cop. Amiran then is trained to capture men. The girl grows up as Umrao Jaan and becomes a well-known poetess and a renowned courtesan. She witnesses many toxic men in her life and boldly moves on from all.

5. Mandi

Shyam Benegal's Mandi is based on a Pakistani writer's piece which beautifully showcases the sad reality of society and how they are looked down upon. Sex work is considered immoral in a patriarchal society and a hypocritical society. The same men who visit the brothel at night talk about relocating it in the daylight. The film is a satirical comedy and showcases how sex workers are seen as 'victims or villains.

6. Pyaasa

Pyaasa is a film directed by Guru Dutt and the story revolves around a love story of a jobless poet and a prostitute Gulaabo. The character of Vijay played is by Guru Dutt himself and Vijay is shown as a struggling writer who is often criticized for writing on social issues. Gulaabo is fanaticized by his work and also buys some. When the whole world stands against Vijay he always finds the gold-hearted Gulaabo by his side. In the end, Vijay becomes sick with people's hypocrisy and declares he is not Vijay. He then leaves with Gulabo to start a new life.

7. Chameli

The movie Chameli starring Kareena Kapoor is one of the movies talking about sex work. In the movie, the man is a banker suffering from depression after his pregnant wife dies. He then meets a prostitute named Chameli. He becomes a changed man because of Chameli. They meet under suc circumstances that they had to spend the night under the same roof as Aman's (Banker's) car breaks down and Chameli tries to hide from a customer who has AIDS.

Filmmakers are now daring to explore such sensitive issues and trying to unfurl for the world the life and struggles of Sex workers. Issues are like prostitution are still looked down upon and sex work is not even considered a profession. Given the status quo, coming of such movies is a step towards change!