No stay on release of Alia Bhatt's Gangubhai Kathiawadi, Bombay HC stays defamation case

The Bombay High Court on Thursday refused to stay the release of 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', actor Alia Bhatt's upcoming film directed by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

The court also granted an interim stay on criminal defamation proceedings against actor Alia Bhatt and producers of Gangubai Kathiawadi.

What is the defamation case about?

Babu Ravji Shah, the adopted son of Gangubai Kathiawadi, had at first filed a defamation suit in Mumbai sessions court which rejected his plea in February 2021. Advocates for the producers had then said, the suit at the behest of, legal heir of a person alleged to be defamed is not maintainable.

Shah claimed that the film and the book it is based on, are both defamatory to his mother’s reputation. The court said that allegation that the contents of the film were defamatory, ends with the death of Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Shah then moved the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the release. Advocate for Bhansali Productions, informed the high court that the book 'The Mafia Queens of Mumbai', was published in 2011, and the movie is based on the book.

The Court also noted that Shah had failed to demonstrate how he is the adoptive son of Kathiawadi and rejected the interim application. The court has now issued a to the adopted son of Gangubai, and stayed the proceedings.

What is the film Gangubai Kothiawadi about?

'Gangubai Kathiawad' is a biographical drama, based on S Hussain Zaidi’s 2011 book 'The Mafia Queens of Mumbai' which tells the story of Gangubai, a woman who came to Mumbai from Gujarat with her partner at the age of 16 to become a Bollywood actress, but was betrayed and sold off and pushed into prostitution.

Gangubai, over the years, built ties with many powerful underworld criminals and got a hold over certain portions of south Mumbai. She became the owner of a brothel and is said to have dedicated her life for the betterment of sex workers and orphans.

She even led the movement against the removal of Mumbai's prostitute market at the same time. Even today, the statue of Gangubai is installed in Kamathipura, Mumbai.

When will Alia's film release?

'Gangubai Kathiawadi' is tentatively slated for a release on October 30 this year.