Gangubai Kathiawadi story; Her full name was Gangubai Harjivandas, and she was born in Kathiawadi, Gujarat. She was forced into prostitution at a young age, according to S Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai.’ She ran a kotha (brothel) in Mumbai’s Kamathipura neighbourhood, and many notorious criminals became her clients. Gangubai did a lot of effort for orphans and sex-works. Gangubai once aspired to be a Bollywood actress. She fell in love with her father’s accountant and ran away with him when she was 16 years old. They arrived in Mumbai and settled down. He deceived her just when she was planning to start a new life with her beloved. Gangubai’s husband sold her in a brothel for Rs 500.

Birth of the Mafia Queen

Gangubai has deep contacts in the criminal world as well, according to S Hussain Zaidi’s book. A member of Karim Lala’s gang is said to have raped Gangubai. She went to Karim Lala and pleaded with him in order to get justice. In the meantime, he gave Karim Lala a rakhi and declared him her brother. Soon after, Karim Lala gave his Rakhi sister Gangubai charge over the Kamathipura district, making her one of the ‘Mafia Queens.’ Gangubai, on the other hand, never forced a female to work in a brothel against her will. She also devoted her life to helping orphans and sex-works. At the same time, she was leading the opposition to the closure of Mumbai’s prostitute market. The Gangubai statue remains in Kamathipura, Mumbai, till this day.

Movie on her lifestory

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt will play famed brothel owner Gangubai Kathiawadi. “Strength. Power. Fear!” the creators said with two images of the actress from the biography last year. A thousand emotions in an one glance. “Here’s #GangubaiKathiawadi’s first look..” Soon after the poster went viral, the actress became the talk of the town for taking such a risky part. While Sanjay Leela Bhansali has confirmed the film’s release date, not much is known about the brothel owner’s life.