Helmed by celebrated Hindi filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the critically and commercially successful period drama Gangubai Kathiawadi(2022) is set to premiere on Netflix on April 26, the streamer announced on Wednesday.
The Hindi film, starring Alia Bhatt in the title role, hit cinemas on February 25. It did not only receive glowing reviews from critics but also set the cash registers jingling at the box office. The film ran in cinemas for over a month.
Netflix India shared the date announcement of the film's digital release on its official Twitter page. “Dekho, dekho chaand Netflix pe aa raha hai. #GangubaiKathiawadi arrives on April 26th," the tweet read.
According to a video shared by the streaming platform, the film will also be available in Telugu.
Following the life of Gangubai, one of the most powerful, loved, and respected madams from Kamathipura during the 1960s, the film is one of the biggest hits of the year as yet, amassing nearly Rs 130 crore at the box office.
It was the first collaboration between Bhansali, known for films such as Devdas (2002), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018), and Bhatt.
Based on a chapter from S Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai, Gangubai Kathiawadi was backed by Bhansali Productions and Jayantilal Gada's Pen India Limited.
The film had its world premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival in February.
Bhansali has also joined hands with Netflix for his pre-Independence set project Heeramandi, which marks his digital debut.
The upcoming series will explore stories of courtesans and the hidden cultural reality of Heera Mandi, a dazzling district, during pre-Independent India.
Keep visiting this space over and again for more updates and reveals from the world of entertainment.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.