Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s eagerly awaited Gangubai Kathiawadi (2021), starring Alia Bhatt, is due to be released on 30 July. Before the pandemic hit, the period film was due to arrive in theatres on 11 September 2020.
A new teaser poster, featuring Bhatt as the titular character, was unveiled on Bhansali’s 58th birthday on Wednesday. The young actress is seen lounging on a chair as she looks directly at the audience in the poster. Bhatt is wearing a period costume sari with a large red bindi and her hair in a long braid. The poster has a faded look to it, like an old photograph.
in cinemas 30th July, 2021 ❤️#GangubaiKathiawadi #SanjayLeelaBhansali @prerna982 @jayantilalgada @PenMovies @bhansali_produc pic.twitter.com/DSotMR5S1r
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) February 24, 2021
The period film has had its fair share of troubles since it was announced in October 2019. Filming was halted in March 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, and also faced a legal case by one Babuji Shah, who claimed to be the adopted son of Gangubai Kathiawadi and sought to put a halt to the film. The suit was dismissed last week.
Gangubai Kathiawadi is based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges and features Bhatt as the legendary brothel madam from Kamathipura. It is rumoured that Ajay Devgn has a cameo in the film, but no other cast members besides Bhatt have been officially confirmed.
Besides Gangubai Kathiawadi, Bhatt will be seen in the superhero fantasy film Brahmastra (2021) with boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor and SS Rajamouli's follow up to the Baahubali films, Roudram Ranam Rudhiram (2021), which will be released on the Diwali weekend.