Alia Bhatt was not the first choice for Gangubai Kathiawadi, these actresses did ‘denial’ role

new Delhi: Alia Bhatt has carved a special niche for herself. His position as an actor in the film industry was recently strengthened with his latest outing Gangubai Kathiwadi. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film has started receiving reviews and is receiving love from every nook and corner. While many suspected that Alia was being cast as the madam of the brothel, the box office figures proved to be something else. However, do you know that Alia was not the first choice for this film. Apparently, filmmaker SanjayKast Leela Bhansali had approached other B-town divas before accepting the role of Alia.

According to a report in India Today, before Alia Bhatt, A-listers including Deepika Padukone, Rani Mukerji and Priyanka Chopra were offered the titular role.

Deepika Padukone

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Deepika Padukone, who has given several block busters including Ram Leela, Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani with Sanjay Leela Bhansali was seen outside her office in 2019. It had sparked discussions that the dynamic duo might collaborate for a new project. However, later with the announcement of Gangubai Kathiwadi, it was reported that Alia and Deepika might come together for another Sanjay Leela Bhansali masterpiece. But after Alia’s announcement as the leading lady of ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ everything went awry.

Rani Mukherjee

Rani has previously worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the 2005 film Black. Amitabh Bachchan also played an important role in the film. Reportedly, Rani Mukerji was on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s mind when he started casting for Gangubai Kathiwadi. However, things didn’t work out after Priyanka’s name came up for the role.

Priyanka Chopra

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There are also rumors that Priyanka Chopra was approached by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to play the matriarch in Gangubai Kathiawadi. In fact, when the rumors intensified, Priyanka herself had to step in to clear the air. Talking to Mumbai Mirror, the actress had shared, “I don’t know. I haven’t signed a Hindi film yet because the two I am doing in the US and the one I am starting next year are taking my time. ,

Gangubai Kathiwadi is based on the life of a young woman who is tricked by her lover with the promise of a film career and persuaded to leave the countryside for Mumbai. After being forced to take up prostitution, she becomes one of the most influential figures in Kamathipura, Mumbai’s infamous red-light area.