Controversy and Sanjay Leela Bhansali go hand in hand. Bhansali’s directorial starring Alia Bhatt ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is in the limelight since the day trailer has been released. According to reports, the film actress, filmmaker and writer have been summoned by the Mumbai court in connection to a defamation case that has been filed by Baburao Shah, who is the adopted son of Gangubai. He claims that ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ will portray his family in the wrong manner and that it is factually incorrect. The film’s plot has been adapted from the chapter from Hussain Zaidi's book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai and he has also been summoned in this case.
According to reports, Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Hussain Zaidi have been asked to appear before the court on May 21. Earlier, Baburao Shah had submitted a petition in a Mumbai civil court, seeking a restraining order against the film and its trailers, but it was rejected.
"Mumbai's Mazgaon Court has summoned film Gangubai Kathiawadi's director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, actor Alia Bhatt & writer of the film on May 21, on the plea of Babu Rawji Shah who claims to be the adopted son of Gangubai Kathiyawadi and Has stated in his plea that film tarnishes her image,” twitted news agency ANI.
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‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ narrates the story of a brothel owner, who was one of the most powerful, loved and respected madams from Kamathipura, Mumbai's red-light area, during the 1960s and Alia Bhatt essaying the eponymous character. The film also features Ajay Devgn in a pivotal role. ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is scheduled to hit the screens on July 30. Bhansali is co-producing the film with producer Jayantilal Gada's Pen India Limited.
Some day earlier, Maharashtra Congress MLA Amin Patel had demanded a change in the title of the film citing that it maligns the name of the Kathiawad city and said that the city has gone through changes. He also urged the state government to intervene in the matter.