Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s big-budget film Gangubai Kathiawadi starring Alia Bhatt in the lead role has been suffering a lot due to Coronavirus pandemic. The makers had already made a huge set in FilmCity, Goregaon and the shooting had begun before the Central Government announced a complete lockdown. In fact, sources had earlier revealed that the filmmaker was even getting his set demolished in order to save rent to keep the production cost in check.
Now, with the Maharashtra Government granting permission to begin shooting after receiving proper approvals, we hear that Alia Bhatt starrer will be one of the first movies to resume shoots. A source told Pinkvilla, “Apparently, earlier the filmmaker was definitely looking to demolish the sets, but later on, they decided against it. The set is very much standing tall and would need a little repair work before the cast resumes shoot. Makers are in the process of acquiring required permission to resume shooting. Most probably, if everything goes right, makers are hopeful to resume shoot by the third week of June.”
Bhansali movie sets are hugely grand and have a higher crew strength. With 33% of the crew only allowed on sets, producers are considering over ways to sustainably complete shoot.
Joint MD of Film City, Mr Subhash Borkar informed that they haven’t yet received an application from the producers but the set is complete and if the producers meet all the SoPs, they are expecting for shoot to resume in the next two weeks. We reached out to the SLB spokesperson to confirm the reports and are yet to hear from them.
Meanwhile, Alia had shared two posters of the film in January this year wherein her look for the movie had left everyone stunned. “Strength. Power. Fear! One look, a thousand emotions. Presenting the first look of #GangubaiKathiawadi,” she captioned the posters. The film was originally scheduled to release on September 11, but with the lockdown, we are certain the makers will move the release date further.
Strength. Power. Fear!
One look, a thousand emotions. Presenting the first look of #GangubaiKathiawadi. In cinemas 11 September 2020.@aliaa08 #SanjayLeelaBhansali @prerna982 @jayantilalgada @PenMovies pic.twitter.com/CUSs5TDEBQ— BhansaliProductions (@bhansali_produc) January 15, 2020
The movie is based on Hussain Zaidi’s book Mafia Queens of Mumbai and revolves around Gangubai Kothewali, a brothel owner and matriarch.