While the real Gangubai actually did some revolutionary things the film falls short of many things. I hope our generation takes real good learnings from the Diva and tries to educate children born in red-light areas. It will be there one chance to choose a life of their liking and not be coerced into the flesh trade.
That said, back to the movie.
Starting with Ganga and Ramnik in the initial scenes, young innocent love not potrayed smartly. Ramnik needs more schooling. When the arrive at the brother Alia was sporting open hair - not practical after such a llong train journey. Also open hair not in fashion in that era.
Seema Pahwa as Sheela the greedy house madame - very accurate. She might remind you of Supriya Pathak in #ramleela
"Chamdi chahiye chehra nahi" was in contradiction to Sheela complimenting the naive Ganga for her looks and Ramnik's choice. Attention to detail missing.
Signature Bhansali style sets... The candle lit scene inspires an unfathomable sadness. That's all . Somebody commented on Sucharita Tyagi's YT page - Kamatipura ko Venice bana diya. I agree.
Govind Seth lights the fire of ambition in her heart "Kamathipura pe raaj" Theme could be explored more. With that there are more points that could be explored more.
If any one has read Danielle Steel's Duchess, you will half expect the movie to take a turn like that when Alia dares to rub Sheela abruptly. The Duchess opens an elegant house of pleasure that will protect its women and serve only the best clients. With her upper-class breeding, her impeccable style, and her father’s bequest, Angélique (the Duchess) creates Le Boudoir, a sensational establishment where powerful men, secret desires, and beautiful, sophisticated women come together.
I half expected a make over of that kind when Alia takes the lead. It fizzled out to be mere Union-bazi.
The new tailor new romance - She reminds me of Meryl Streep in Devil wears Prada when she rants out the different kinds of white. Another unexplored theme.
The pantomime exchange of messages between the young tailor and Alia were warming the heart but that too didn't get explored enough. I wish Bhansali brings more of it to the screens.
Seducing a not so eligible hero... Dynamics of a powerful woman with an inferior man... explorable theme...Left unexplored. I wish some one brings it to the fore front. Last time Ki and Ka defined it well .
The entire movie was about trying to chronicle her achievements and it rushed from one topic to another. Power dynamics with Ajay Devgn was not explored enough.
With a character of tainted origins and the scene on the bed when police raid her house, one is reminded of Rituparna in Rajkahini and Vidya Balan in Begum Jaan. But could Alia bring that weight to the screen? No.
I keep thinking who could have done justice to the role? Huma Qureshi? Chitrangada Singh? Mahi Gill? I half wished Pooja Bhatt was cast to the movie.
Alia's petite structure could not pull the weight of someone like Gangubai. Someone with that kind of mettle might have carried herself with more grace. One could have taken creative liberties atleast. Instead of letting the character rant shallow talks at the principals office.
Jim Sarbh - Under-utilised. I had the script of an entire movie going seperately when he smiled with his spectacled eyes for the first time in the principal's office.
Never mind. Will add more notes some other time. For now. Disappointed.
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