Page 10 - August 2020 Digital

Who Was Gangubai Kathiawadi?

The Woman Behind

Alia Bhatt’s Next Film

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt will be seen stepping into the
shoes of legendary brothel owner Gangubai Kathiawadi in
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, which is based on the life of a
real-life mafia queen.

But who was Gangubai Kathiawadi, on whose life this film
is based? Let’s take a look.

Gangubai Kathiawadi was born in Kathiawadi, Gujrat and
her real name was Gangubai Harjivandas. According to S
Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’, she was
pushed into prostitution at a very young age. She ran a kotha
(brothel) in the Kamathipura area of Mumbai and later, many
notorious criminals became her customers. Gangubai did a lot
of work for sex-workers and the well-being of orphans.

Gangubai first wanted to become an actress in Bollywood films.
When she was 16 years old, she fell in love with his father’s
accountant and ran away with him. They came to Mumbai
and settled down there. Just when she was dreaming of
starting a new life with her beloved, he betrayed her.
Gangubai’s husband sold her for INR 500 at a brothel.

After weeks of crying, the young girl who was aware
that she now had nowhere else to go, decided to stay
back. Soon, she became one of the most-prized
prostitutes known for her gab and her knack of
making many Seths open their purse strings.
Journalist Hussain Zaidi’s book on Mafia
Queens of Mumbai portrayed Gangubai
as a woman of spirit and not a victim of
circumstance. When a Pathan raped her
brutally leaving her invalid for days,
she decided to accost his boss after
his Friday prayers. The boss was none
other than mafia don Karim Lala. Not
only did Lala mercilessly beat up her
tormentor but also warned everyone
DFW | August 2020 VOL 18 | 10
DesiPages against ill-treating his ‘rakhi sister’.