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Gangubai Kathiawadi

Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It stars Alia Bhatt in the title role and is based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi. The film depicts the rise of Gangubai Kathiawadi, a woman who becomes influential in Mumbai’s Kamathipura red-light district.

Plot

The film follows Gangubai, who is forced into prostitution and later becomes a powerful and influential figure in Mumbai’s Kamathipura district. It presents her as a woman who gains status through her connections and advocates for sex workers.

Production

Gangubai Kathiawadi was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who also co-produced the film. It is adapted from the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai and features a large ensemble cast.

Release

The film was released theatrically in India on 25 February 2022. It later streamed on Netflix.

Reception

The film received attention for its performances, direction, and production design, and it was widely discussed in Indian film media and reviews.

Key facts

  • The film was released in 2022 and is in Hindi.
  • It was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bhansali and Jayantilal Gada.
  • Alia Bhatt plays the title character, Gangubai Kathiawadi.
  • The story is based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi.
  • The film follows Gangubai’s rise in Mumbai’s Kamathipura red-light district.
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Canadian context

The film is available to Canadian audiences through Netflix and has been reviewed and covered in international film media accessible in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gangubai Kathiawadi?
It is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film about Gangubai Kathiawadi and her rise in Mumbai’s Kamathipura district.
Who directed Gangubai Kathiawadi?
The film was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Who plays Gangubai?
Alia Bhatt plays the title role.
What is the film based on?
It is based on the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi.
When was it released?
It was released in theatres on 25 February 2022.
Where can it be watched?
The film is available on Netflix.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangubai_Kathiawadi
    Supports: Director, year, language, genre, plot basis, and basic film identification.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gangubai_kathiawadi
    Supports: Director, genre, original language, release date, and runtime.
  3. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81280352
    Supports: Streaming availability, release year, synopsis, and principal cast.
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/feb/23/gangubai-kathiawadi-review-bollywood-take-on-the-mafia-queen-of-the-mumbai-underworld
    Supports: Story premise, setting, and contextual description of the film's subject.