Did you know Rani Mukerji, Priyanka Chopra and not Alia Bhatt were the first choices for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’? – Times of India
Bringing a fierce and feisty side to the fro, the actress left her fans mighty impressed with her portrayal of one of the most powerful and revered women in Mumbai city- Gangubai Kothewali, also known as the Madam of Kamathipura. The actress has always spoken about how bagging a Bhansali film was a dream come true. She reportedly landed the part after ‘Inshallah’ co-starring Salman Khan was abruptly shelved.
While the buzz around the film is now at an all-time high and Alia basks in the success of the teaser, it was about a year ago when rumours ran wild about actresses like Priyanka Chopra and Rani Mukerji being in the running to play the matriarch.
The buzz grew so loud that Priyanka finally addressed the subject in an interview with Mumbai Mirror, where she stated that she was not in talks with SLB. When asked if Bhansali approached her or Alia to do the film, she said, “I have no idea. I haven’t signed a Hindi film yet because the two I’m doing in the US and the one I’m starting next year, are taking up my time.”
Chopra, who worked with SLB in ‘Bajirao Mastani’, added, “I’m a fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali in whatever he makes, I’ll always be his fan.”
But, did you know that before there were reports of Alia and Priyanka getting cast in the titular role, the director had another actress in mind?
Bhansali initially had Rani Mukerji in mind to star as the leading lady of his film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’. However, things didn’t go according to plan with Rani and that’s when he decided to ask Priyanka. But, as the actress was pursuing a career in Hollywood, and his film ‘Inshalla’ with Alia shelved, he was in no mood to let go of the actress as he had already booked her dates.
‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ comes three years after the smashing success of ‘Padmaavat’ that featured an ensemble cast of Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. It is based on a chapter in Husain Zaidi’s novel ‘Mafia Queens Of Mumbai’ and will trace the journey of a girl, sold into prostitution at an early age, who goes on to become one of the most powerful and influential women in the history of Mumbai, with notorious criminals serving as her clients.
