Gangubai Kathiawadi: Alia Bhatt says father Mahesh Bhatt believes film will impress international audience

Alia Bhatt is readying for the worldwide release of her new film Gangubai Kathiawadi after it premieres at the Berlin Film Festival. In a recent media interview, the actor shared what her filmmaker father Mahesh Bhatt had to say about the biographical crime drama.

"...When my father saw that film he was like ‘this international crowd will be very impressed with this film’. This is all before we had any idea about Berlin and it worked out," she told Film Companion.  

She also spoke about the Gangubai's screening at Berlinale and said that it is the kind of Indian story that has the potential to appeal to everyone. 

Hindustan Times writes that Mahesh had talked about his impression of Gangubai after watching the trailer to ETimes: "Alia stands out as Gangubai because she has not moulded herself to a model."

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has directed Gangubai Kathiawadi, which is loosely based on a chapter from journalist-writer Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Bhatt plays the titular role of the city's red light district Kamathipura's most powerful madam.

The cast also includes Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari and Seema Pahwa. Ajay Devgn and Huma Qureshi will appear in cameo roles.  

Previously, Bhatt's musical drama Gully Boy had premiered at Berlinale in 2019. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film is a coming-of-age tale of an aspiring Mumbai rapper played by Ranveer Singh. 

Gangubai Kathiawadi will be released in cinemas on February 25.