Gangubai Kathiawadi's trailer was unveiled recently and as expected from all Alia Bhatt movies, this one also solely focuses on her. No, sorry, rewind. Gangubai Kathiawadi is a story about Alia Bhatt and all the male leads. At least that's what the trailer of this Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial suggests.
While Alia Bhatt is the action, a male voice dominates from the first scene. Gangubai has a whole title song dedicated to her, which helps Alia's cause greatly. But what about the great women who are a part of the project? Why are they undermined?
Seema Pahwa's character appears in the trailer within seconds but does she leave a mark? Do you even recall which scene am I talking about? Let me jog your memory...
A remarkable actor, known for films like Bareilly Ki Barfi and her directorial movie Ramprasad Ki Terhvi, Seema is ignored in the trailer immensely. All you see is a glimpse which also does not tell you anything about her character apart from the fact that she is also involved in the prostitution business. Is that really how a female character, in a female-led film, should be treated?
Moving on, the other female actor who is a part of the movie, Indira Tiwari, is as good as not a part of the trailer. You cannot even catch a proper glimpse of her, let alone understand what she brings to the table.
To make up for the lack of impact of the female characters, Sanjay Leela Bhansali introduced Vijay Raaz, a male actor, in the role of a female transgender. There is no denying that Vijay is a great actor and every actor out there should be able to do all kinds of roles but if the makers are trying to replace what could be strong women counterparts with a male counterpart pretending to be a woman, it is a sad state we live in.
Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn has a grand entry in the trailer even when he has a cameo appearance in the film. He has more screen time than any female character other than Alia Bhatt which speaks volumes about where the trailer is headed.
It comes as no surprise that Jim Sarbh, who also has a smaller role, gets to leave a bigger impact on the trailer than, again, any female character other than Gangubai. Is Sanjay Leela Bhansali certain this is a film about a woman or glorifying one woman and three men?
Gangubai Kathiawadi, featuring Alia Bhatt in the role of the mafia queen, is headed for a theatrical release. The movie is expected to hit the screens on February 25.
Share