Gangubai Kathiawadi: These A-list actresses rejected the role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film before Alia Bhatt bagged it

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film will have its OTT premiere on Netflix after 8 weeks of theatrical run

Gangubai Kathiawadi

Gangubai Kathiawadi, helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has broken quite a few records at the box office. The film also grossed over Rs 100 crore within a week of its release. Starring Alia Bhatt, the film was released in theatres on February 25.

The film has been heaping praises, especially for Alia Bhatt's performance. However, according to India Today, Alia Bhatt was not the first choice for the movie. There were other prominent A-list actors who were reportedly approached for the part but they rejected the roles due to different reasons. Well, their loss became Alia's gain.

Here're some of the actors who had refused to do the role of a sex worker in the film.

Rani Mukerji:

Rani Mukerji, who has earlier worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Black, was reportedly approached for the role of Gangubai. But things did not materialise. Meanwhile, she is currently gearing up for the release of the film, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.

Deepika Padukone:

The Gehraiyaan star Deepika Padukone, who has delivered several hits with Sanjay Leela Bhansali before, with films like Padmaavat, Ram Leela and Bajirao Mastani, was said to be approached by the filmmaker for the role in Gangubai Kathiawadi too. But she refused the offer due to some unknown reasons. The rumours began spreading after she was spotted at his office in 2019.

Priyanka Chopra:

There were many reports doing the rounds, suggesting that after Deepika Padukone and Rani Mukerji rejected the role, Priyanka Chopra was also made an offer but she too turned down the offer. But Chopra later issued a clarification that she was unaware of such a project by Bhansali and that she was busy with two of her Hollywood projects.

Meanwhile, the film, Gangubai Kathiawadi revolves around Gangubai or Ganga who elopes with her boyfriend and comes to Mumbai to become an actor. But her dreams are shattered when she realises that he had cheated her and forced her into prostitution. The film is inspired by real-life character of Gangubai and is based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi's book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai.

The film will release on Netflix soon, after completing eight weeks of its run in cinema.

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