Joseph Gordon-Levitt compares Alia Bhatt’s Gangubai Kathiawadi to the aura of a Martin Scorsese film - Read on

The cross-pollination of talent is always beautiful to witness, and actors from different industries praising and supporting each other is where art truly flourishes. While the Indian film industry is making headlines, one of the biggest newsworthy events is Hollywood star Joseph Gordon-Levitt's visit to India—not to promote any film or show, but to attend a film festival. The 500 Days of Summer star was already in the news for his India visit, and it turns out he is finally in the country to meet his fans. Today, at the IFP Festival, Joseph participated in a panel discussion with Rajkummar Rao where they talked about cinema, careers, world cinema, and the craft of acting. During the conversation, Joseph expressed his admiration for Alia Bhatt’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, even comparing it to the work of Martin Scorsese. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Praises Gangubai Kathiawadi

For those unfamiliar, Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starring Alia Bhatt, Shantanu Maheshwari, Ajay Devgn, Vijay Raaz, Seema Pahwa, and an ensemble cast. The movie, set in the lanes of Kamathipura in Mumbai, is based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. It tells the story of Gangubai, a woman forced into sex work who later became a powerful figure in Kamathipura, advocating for social reforms and giving a voice to the women in the area. Joseph Gordon-Levitt recently expressed his admiration for the film.

During the IFP Festival, in his conversation with Rajkummar Rao, Joseph shared how watching Gangubai Kathiawadi left him eager to explore more of Indian cinema. He was captivated by the filmmaking. In his praise for the film, he likened the experience of watching Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s work to the immersive experience of watching a Martin Scorsese movie—a significant compliment for the film and its team.

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"It was a very heavy, distinguished genre. At times, it felt like a Scorsese movie, then there were gorgeous musical numbers that felt so sincere and well-crafted. I found myself completely enamored with this film," Joseph said.

"It made me want to learn more and more about Indian cinema. It's one of the reasons I wanted to come here. I love what I’m feeling from the culture—genuine love for movies and artistry. I want to come here and make a movie in India," he added. Joseph Gordon-Levitt seemed to have a great time at the festival, as he was also seen dancing with Rajkummar Rao and even tried his hand at Garba during the event.

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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