All about 'Matriarch of Kamathipura' Gangubai Kathiawadi, the woman who Alia Bhatt plays in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film

Gangubai Kathiawadi was a famous brothel owner in the Kamathipura red light area of Mumbai, a few decades back.

The film Gangubai Kathiawadi is based on S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Her life is one of the chapters titled The Matriarch of Kamathipura.

According to the book, Gangubai Kathiawadi was sold to a brothel by her lover after they eloped from Gujarat. She then went on to become 'one of the most sought-after and well-paid commercial sex workers in Kamathipura'.

S Hussain Zaid and Jane Borges claimed in their book that "Her political connections apparently also won her an appointment with the then prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, at his residence in New Delhi."

They further wrote, "Once again, Gangubai made history by becoming the only local brothel madam to secure an appointment with the head of the country."

It's confirmed that Ajay Devgn will kickstart shooting for Gangubai Kathiawadi, marking his reunion with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after two decades. Reported as an impactful role, Ajay's name and the character description have not been disclosed by the makers.