Review: Alia Bhatt's masterful act justifies 'Gangubai Kathiwadi's long runtime & predictable story

It only seems fitting that this comeback to theaters is being catapulted with a Sanjay Leela Bhansali mega film in these troubled times. An event film is what lures the viewers back to theaters just like Sooryavanshi did a few months ago, and Gangubai Kathiawadi would be no different.

The film starring Alia Bhatt as the main face had everyone jumping with expectations and now that I have seen the film, I'll help you suggest if it delivers on the promise or not.

The Plot

There couldn't be a more straightforward plot here as we know from the short chapter that the film is based on and the trailer itself. Being forced and cheated into the world of prostitution, Ganga aka Gangu (Alia Bhatt), learns to not only adapt to her sandpit situation but emerges as the messiah for 4,000 girls at Kamathipura. It is however, her journey after 'stardom' that counts as she fights for basic rights of girls involved in a profession that is looked down upon by the society.

The Good

It is almost a template that you cannot see a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film and not talk about the cinematography and beauty of every frame of the film. The man is a master at it as we have repeatedly seen in the past and this film is no different. What does make this film more special is given how limited scope Bhansali had to immerse his beautification unlike the historical opus films he made earlier. But even then, he excels at it.

The attention to detail in the film is impeccable. As we know, the film is set in the 70s and the production design, set design and everything else makes sure to not commit any error in its portrayal. Something as simple as having a sosyo bottle on the eating table to the large sized currency notes, everything is era specific and hence, a job done with precision.

Another Sanjay Leela Bhansali template has been his music in films. While Gangubai Kathiawadi doesn't have all chartbusters, a couple of songs remind you what Bhansali is brilliant at as well. Meri Jaan is beautifully sung and filmed in the most novel way a romantic song can be done. and we have already seen the foot-tapping garba number Dholida rule every chart.

A few scenes in the film standout so well that I thought one of them deserves a special mention. In it, we see Gangubai helping a girl at her brothel to write a letter to her father, and as she writes it, the rest of the girls gradually not only help her with the words but universally feel the same emotion - regret, apologetic and the suffocation of never being able to connect with your parents again. It's a heartwarming moment. 

The Not-So-Good

I had so much expectation and happiness watching the trailer as I saw an actor like Vijay Raaz get centre stage and such a fascinating role to play. However, if there is one thing that is the most disappointing part about the film, it has to be the arc that Raaz's Raziabai gets. There's so much build-up and the end result of that is practically nothing.

The length. Yes, we are talking about Sanjay Leela Bhansali templates and it seems that never change. Even though Gangubai Kathiawadi isn't freakishly long clicking around 2 hrs 36 mins, it feels a lot more especially because there aren't too many principal characters to keep switching gears to. With his earlier films, we have 2-3 leads to focus on and hence it (length) might not feel that much but here it's all centralized on one character, so it does. 

This is a concern even more because the story is predictable. You know the tropes and there's nothing too shocking about that. So, you need to make it immensely engaging to justify the long runtime with a predictable storyline but that bothers.

The Performances

Alia Chameleon Bhatt. This name suits here, I would presume. If there is one career that any aspiring actor or anyone in general needs to look and learn from - it has to be Bhatt's. The woman is phenomenal as Ganga and Gangubai both. Yes, it is her brilliance that you literally feel you're looking at two different people as she portrays the happy and cheerful Ganga and then the fierce mafia queen, Gangubai. This has to be her career best purely because of one reason I believe - it had her in absolute central focus. Yes, Raazi did too but here, literally everything and every frame is about her and with her. She doesn't skip a single beat and something as difficult as her Gujarati accent too, she tweaks it so subtly that it doesn't look caricaturish. It seems Alia Bhatt can do no wrong. 

In the supporting cast, Indira Tiwari as Kamli, Seema Pahwa as Sheela Maasi and Jim Sarbh as Fezi Bhai stand out. Shantanu Maheshwari as Afshaan is a brilliant casting call as the actor brings the exact innocence and child-like quality he is usually known for. Ajay Devgn's Rahim Lala is the perfect breather as he comes in and goes out of the film on multiple instances.

The Verdict

Just like any Sanjay Leela Bhansali, there are plenty of flaws in Gangubai Kathiawadi that are too obvious. But also just like any Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, what it brings to the table is a tailor-made theater experience for the big screen. That is something that cannot be missed especially in these tough times. Of course, pair that with Alia Bhatt's masterclass act, Gangubai Kathiawadi is a worthy watch on the big screen.

Rating - ***1/2 (3.5/5)