'Gangubai Kathiawadi': Meet Rahim Lala aka Gangubai's business partner
What's the story
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ambitious project Gangubai Kathiawadi is just days away from its premiere on February 25.
Ahead of the release, the makers have posted a new introductory clip to give us some insight into a pivotal character of the film.
The video features Rahim Lala, played by Ajay Devgn, and his equation with Gangubai (Alia Bhatt).
Here's what we inferred from the video.
Video
Tagged to be 'King of Bombay,' Lala helps Gangu
The 50-second clip begins with a low-angle shot of Lala walking majestically on a street, surrounded by followers.
A voiceover informs us (and Gangubai, too) that Lala is the "King of Bombay," who is virtuous.
A visibly injured Gangu directly approaches him for help.
Given Gangubai went from sex work to ruling Mumbai underworld, this could be her first step in the mafia business.
What happens
Lala calls Gangubai 'Mafia Queen'
"Business is your religion and so is ours. But what if someone disrespects it?" Gangu asks Lala, to which he replies, "Such traitors will be punished by God."
But Gangu wins him over by saying, "That's why I came to you."
We understand the duo joins forces after this meeting as Gangubai slowly gains control of the red-light area, becoming the "Mafia Queen."
Twitter Post
Catch the clip here
Imaan. Dharam. Dhanda.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) February 19, 2022
Aa rahe hai hum 6 dino mein🔥https://t.co/XSB4UPW5yD#GangubaiKathiawadi in cinemas on 25th Feb#SanjayLeelaBhansali @aliaa08 @bhansali_produc @PenMovies
Information
Huma Qureshi and Emraan Hashmi likely to play cameos
The short clip also includes a scene from the trailer where we saw the grand figure, Lala, declaring he likes to make homes and not break them.
Understandably, he will be elemental in Gangubai's rise in society and politics.
It will be interesting to see their mentor-mentee relationship.
Apart from Devgn, actors like Huma Qureshi and Emraan Hashmi are also likely to have cameos.
Release
Several controversies have been following the movie though
Based on S Hussain Zaidi's Mafia Queens of Mumbai, the Bhansali directorial will follow Gangubai's rise power after being sold to a brothel at a young age.
It co-stars Vijay Raaz, Shantanu Maheshwari, Seema Pahwa, Indira Tiwari, and Varun Kapoor.
However, the film has been mired in several controversies—from children reenacting Gangubai's scenes to makers casting a cis man to play a transgender character.