Mumbai court summons Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali over petition against 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'

Ace Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi’s recently released teaser has received rave reviews from both viewers and critics. It undoubtedly marks Alia Bhatt’s best performance to date, as she essays the role of a brothel owner and matriarch from Kathiawad, who goes on to become a successful political figure.

However, the film has also landed its makers and Bhatt in legal trouble. Ever since the first poster came out, Babuji Shah, who claims to be Kathiawadi’s adopted son, filed a lawsuit seeking a permanent injunction restraining order against the Gangubai Kathiawadi makers and Mafia Queens of Mumbai author Hussain Zaidi, whose book the film is based on. However, his appeal was dismissed by the Bombay Civil Court.

Following the release of the teaser, Shah claimed that the film has shown his family in a negative light, with factually incorrect scenarios making it defamatory, reported Pinkvilla. He also filed a petition in this regard.

Now, the Mumbai Court has summoned Bhatt and Bhansali, along with writer-journalist Zaidi and directed them to appear before the court on May 21, 2021. Neither Bhatt nor Bhansali have shared their stance on the matter.

The biographical crime drama has been co-produced by Jayantilal Gada and Bhansali himself. The shooting of the film, however, was halted when Bhansali tested positive for Covid-19. But now that he has recovered, it is expected to resume soon.

The teaser of Gangubai Kathiawadi, on the other hand, witnesses Bhatt in her most fierce and feisty element, as her acting overpowers everything else. Her demeanour gives nothing but chills and leaves everyone – including those previously criticising her for Sadak 2 – wanting for more. Packed with trademark Bhansali visuals, dramatic background music, stylised frames, a touch of allure and dialogues that hit the nail on the head, the teaser had fans hitting the replay button when it first came out, reported the Times of India.

The film was initially scheduled to release in September 2020, but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. If all goes well, it is now slated to hit screens on July 30.

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