Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Gangubai Kathiawadi has no trappings of a mainstream film, it has no message

For Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Gangubai Kathiawadi is an attempt he has never made before. The filmmaker worked with Alia Bhatt for the first time, and people can't stop lauding her performance in the film. During a recent interaction with The Times of India, Bhansali was asked if the film was more arthouse than commercial cinema.

To which the Devdas helmer said that Gangubai Kathiawadi is one of those films that has none of the trappings of a major film. He believes that this film gives individuals a lot of hope by implying that we can all become hooked on life. We all have our toughest and darkest moments. 

Bhansali further said that no one is exempt; no human being is exempt. What matters is how you deal with those dark periods and emerge from the ashes to soar. And to fly with such resonance, Gangubai died in the 1970s, and 40–50 years later, he created a film on her and celebrated her spirit in Kamathipura, which is the least traversed area by civil society in so many ways.

The National Award-winning filmmaker believes that today's audience is open to hearing this. After Mandi, he believes this is the first full-fledged film about a brothel with women. That was created by Shyam Benegal, and this is the result. Bhansali has found far more acceptance today than perhaps a lovely film like Mandi did at the time. Many people praised Shabana Azmi's performance in the film, but it did not perform well at the box office.

On being quizzed if there's any social message in Gangubai Kathiawadi, Bhansali said there isn't any. He never makes socially relevant films; instead, he tells stories about people who have gone through difficult times, whether they are women or men. More than loneliness, his continuous theme is that a human being should stand for dignity, and that dignity cannot be taken away. No human being should be stripped of his or her dignity, and how strong are you to keep your dignity in the face of adversity and problems? And it is a consistent subject in his works, whether it is Bajirao, who represents Mastani's dignity, who says, "Yes, I have had an extramarital affair, and I am going to give her a place in my house, not keep her hidden somewhere."

Bhansali went on to say that some fought for their right to be treated with dignity. It is represented by Vanraj in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Michelle in Black, and Deepika in Padmaavat. Even in Guzaarish, when Hrithik's character wishes for death, he claims that if he is entitled to live with dignity, he is also entitled to die with dignity.

The director concluded by saying that being appreciated in whatever capacity is the most important thing to live for. Everyone understands that they will never be wealthy, famous, or well-known.