Alia Bhatt Talks Teaming With Sanjay Leela Bhansali On “Powerful” Story ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ – Berlin

deadline.com:

Despite her young age, Indian-born British actress Alia Bhatt has sustained herself as a leading lady in Hindi cinema for the past decade, racking up credits including Gully Boy, Raazi and Highway.Among the awards and box office successes have also been a selection of high-profile premieres at international festivals, which is not routinely a route trodden by Indian cinema.Her 2014 crime pic Highway debuted at the Berlin International Film festival, as did the 2019 musical drama Gully Boy.

This year, she is back with Gangubai Kathiawadi, the feminist tale of a sex worker who rises to become a powerful underworld figure.Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who Bhatt tells us below in an interview she has always wanted to work with, the film also features an extended cameo from Ajay Devgn, and a turn from Vijay Raaz as a transsexual character (the latter has drawn some criticism for not casting a trans actor, which Bhatt also discusses).The actress talks us through the film’s lengthy process to screen, which included a Covid-related production delay and pandemic-enforced release delays, as well as her hopes for breaking into western cinema after signing with WME last year.Gangubai Kathiawadi premieres on February 16 in Berlin’s Special Gala program.DEADLINE: How much are you looking forward to this film screening in Berlin?ALIA BHATT: I have been to Berlin twice before so I hope third time’s a charm, even though the first two were pretty charming.

This is one of the most challenging, emotional parts, one which I’ve connected with the most. I lived with it for two years while we shot the film, it’s super close to my heart.DEADLINE: Make sure to dress up warm for the premiere…BHATT: I’ll be wearing a sari, so I will freeze,