Bombay HC Dismisses Pleas Seeking Stay On Gangubai, Film To Release On Friday

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film titled Gangubai Kathiawadi is going to release in theatres on Friday, February 23 without any cuts directed by the Bombay High Court. A number of petitions seeking to change the name Kamathipura mentioned in the film and Kathiawadi were dismissed by the court on Wednesday.

The MLA of the Kamathipura area, Amin Patel and a resident of the Kamathipura area named Shraddha Surve had moved the Bombay High Court with their respective petitions seeking to censor the Alia Bhatt starrer film. The petitions objected to the use of the area name Kamathipura in the film citing the negative consequences of it on the residents of the area. Surve in her plea had argued that not even five per cent of the area is involved in prostitution and with the film talking about the yesteryears when Kamathipura had a several brothels would tarnish its current image.

Certification Ahead of Gangubai Kathiawadi Release In Theatres:

The Bombay High Court dismissed the petitions after hearing them on Wednesday and cleared the film for release without any cuts. The film has been given the UA certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification. This means that people of all age groups can watch the film. As per reports, the film certification board made four cuts in the film.

In a 43-second long dialogue scene, the lead character of Gangubai, played by Alia Bhatt, was seen talking to the former Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehra who then was seen "embedding a rose on Gangubai's shoulder". The said scene was modified. Disclaimers in English and Hindi were added to the film by the makers by adding the duration of each slide by five seconds. The film had gotten its certificate in December 2021.

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The modified scene with Nehru was also mentioned in Hussain Zaidi's book titled Mafia Queens of Mumbai. The author had written, "An intrepid Gangubai is said to have thrown a proposal at him. She told him that if he was ready to make her Mrs Nehru, she would be willing to abandon her business for good. Nehru was taken aback and reprimanded her for having dared to talk to him like that. But a calm Gangubai smiled and said, ‘Don’t get angry Pradhan Mantri Ji. I just wanted to prove a point; it is always easier to preach than practise.’ Nehru remained silent."

The film releasing on February 25 is based on the madam of a brothel in yesteryear's Kamathipura in Mumbai. Alia Bhatt will be playing the lead role. Actor Ajay Devgn will also be seen in a significant role.