Gangubai Kathiawadi trailer: Alia Bhatt shines as feisty queen of Kamathipura, Ajay Devgn makes powerful cameo. Watch

Alia Bhatt is back, this time as a vulnerable girl forced into sex trade, who eventually rises above her circumstances and shines as a matriarch of Kamathipura, with the name of Gangubai Kathiawadi. The highly-anticipated trailer of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film released on Friday to a thunderous welcome.

Gangubai Kathiawadi trailer also shows Shantanu Maheshwari as Alia’s suitor Ramnik Lal, Ajay Devgn as Karim Lala and Huma Qureshi as Dilruba. Vijay Raaz, Seema Pahwa and Jim Sarbh also appear in the intriguing trailer.

Several multiplexes — PVR, INOX, Cinepolis, Carnival and Miraj — simultaneously released the Gangubai Kathiawadi trailer across across India.

The period drama has been adapted from one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi’s book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, and features Alia in the lead role of Gangubai, one of the most powerful, loved and respected madams from Kamathipura during the 1960s.

The film is produced by Bhansali and Jayantilal Gada (Pen Studios). Gangubai Kathiawadi will have its much-awaited world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival and will be released in theatres on February 25.

Also read: Alia Bhatt checks out Ajay Devgn’s Rolls-Royce, fans wonder if she asked ‘mileage kitna deti hai?’ Watch

The shooting of the film began in December 2019 and wrapped in two years. Alia had shared her experiences of shooting for the film in a lengthy note on Instagram. She had written, “This film and set has been through two lockdowns… two cyclones.. director and actor getting Covid during the making!!! The troubles the set has faced is another film altogether! But through all that and more.. what I take away is the gigantic life changing experience!”

“Being directed by sir has been a dream all my life, but I don’t think anything would have prepared me for the journey I was on for these two years.. I walk out of this set a diff person today! I love you sir! Thank you for being you .. there is truly NO ONE like you. When a film ends a part of you ends with it! Today I’ve lost a part of me.. Gangu I love you! You will be missed. P.S – special mention to my crew – my family and friends for these two years! without you nothing would have been possible! Love you guys,” she added.