Supreme Court Suggests Changing The Name Of ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ In Lieu Of Cases Against The Film
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of those few directors who each time create poetry on screen with their works. It is sad, then, that before the release of most of his films, controversy and court cases come a-knocking. Just let an artist create art, na? Anyhoo, looks like his latest baby, Gangubai Kathiawadi, already mired in a bunch of pending legal cases against it, has another thing coming. The Supreme Court, in lieu of these cases, has suggested that the Alia Bhatt starrer, set to release this Friday, change its name. Sigh. This comes a day after the Bombay High Court scrapping pleas that objected to the use of certain words in the movie, including Kamathipura.
According to Bar & Bench, there are several cases seeking a halt against the release of the film. There’s a criminal defamation case filed against the makers of Gangubai Kathiawadi, Alia Bhatt, and authors S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges, who wrote the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, which serves as inspiration for the film. The Bombay HC had continued the stay on the summons issued by a Mumbai court on the matter. The Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices Indira Banerjee and JK Maheshwari was hearing an appeal filed against this stay by the adopted son of the real Gangubai.
Also Read: Alia Bhatt’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ Lands In Legal Trouble Yet Again, MLA Amin Patel Moves Court Against Use Of ‘Kamathipura’
In light of the cases against the film, the Supreme Court suggested if the makers would consider changing the name of the film, perhaps as a way to cut out any ties to the real Gangubai if they do so. However, the advocate representing the film’s makers said that since the film is releasing in two days, it would be very difficult to pull it off, and understandably so.
The hearing is due to continue tomorrow, so I guess we will have to wait and watch to see what the makers of Gangubai Kathiawadi decide. It does bug me why these court cases usually emerge after the film’s trailers and release dates of dropped, and not when the film is actually being made. The book on which the film is based has been around for a while now. It was no secret that Bhansali was making a movie on it and what the story was to be about. So what gives? Anyway, let us hope that the matter is resolved judiciously, because the early Berlin Film Festival reviews have started to come in on social media, and it would suck if the film, which is reportedly all set to revive theatre-going, is delayed for some reason. Furthermore, not sure how much a name change helps.
MLA Demands Change Of Name Of Alia Bhatt’s Film Gangubai Kathiawadi. Says, It Maligns The City!
