Metropolitan court issues summons to Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali over Gangubai Kathiawadi

A metropolitan court in Mazgaon has issued summons to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actress Alia Bhatt over the depiction of the main character in their upcoming film. The summons was issued in response to a defamation suit filed by Babu Rawji Shah, who claims to be the adopted son of Gangubai Kothewali, on whom the character is based. 

Shah had filed a similar suit in a Mumbai civil court, which was dismissed back in February.

Legal website BarAndBench.com quoted metropolitan magistrate Shital Bangad as stating in her order, "Even if it is considered that she was prostitute, that does not mean that anybody has permission or write to show or mention her as a prostitute in public."

Shah claimed that the film was based on the novel The Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges, which used Gangubai's full name and as such was defamatory, tarnished her reputation, and infringed upon her right to privacy. He also claimed that he was unaware of the book until it came to light on social media following the promotions for the film.

The court, observing the pleas, stated that since no consent was obtained from the family members of the late Gangubai Kothewali, to "portray the image of deceased Gangubai without consent of family members amount to defaming her image". 

The filmmaker and actress were asked to present themselves before the court on or before 21 May.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is being produced by Bhansali Productions and is set to be released on 30 July.