The Alia Bhatt-starrer was premiered digitally on 26 April after being released theatrically on 25 February.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi nabs top spot on Netflix’s global non-English film list
Mumbai - 04 May 2022 17:46 IST
Our Correspondent
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), starring Alia Bhatt, has become the number one non-English film on Netflix globally after its premiere online on 26 April.
According to the streaming giant, the film has been watched for 13.81 million hours and has featured in the Top 10 in the Films category in 25 countries worldwide, including Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and UAE.
The film had its world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February and was released theatrically on 25 February.
Speaking about the film’s appreciation on Netflix, writer-director Bhansali said, “Gangubai Kathiawadi is a special film that I hold very close to my heart. The audience loved it when it was released in theatres and now, with Netflix, we are delighted to see how wide the film has been able to reach, finding new audiences. Its success on Netflix reinforces that Gangubai’s story of the fight for justice for women is truly universal.”
The film’s star, Bhatt, said that she was rendered speechless to see the love the feature was receiving from viewers around the world. She said, “I've always aspired to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and to have our film find a home on Netflix and receive the splendid response it did, fills me with gratitude. Streaming services, especially Netflix, break barriers of borders and languages and allow stories to find newer audiences every day. To see Gangubai Kathiawadi trend at #1 in Non-English films globally on Netflix and in the Top 10 in 25 countries from Australia, Canada to the United Kingdom is simply overwhelming!”
Monika Shergill, vice-president of content at Netflix India, stated that the platform's rich variety of Indian films continues to captivate people around the world. "This week, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's masterpiece Gangubai Kathiawadi has found tremendous love from Netflix viewers in India and worldwide. We are thrilled to partner with the Indian film industry, and enable the best of Indian cinema to be discovered by new audiences as well as by fans who want to relive the magic of their favourite films with friends and family," she said.
Produced by Bhansali and Dr Jayantilal Gada of Pen Studios, the period film also stars Ajay Devgn (in a special cameo), Jim Sarbh, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari and Seema Pahwa.
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