Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi is based on a chapter titled 'The Matriarch of Kamathipura' from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film is releasing in theaters on February 25.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming Hindi film Gangubai Kathiawadi, starring Alia Bhatt, is based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai and in recent times, a lot of controversial claims have emerged about Gangubai's representation on screen, too. Nothing is known about the woman.
In Zaidi's book, the life of Ganga Harjivandas Kathiawadi (his real name) is detailed in a chapter titled 'The Matriarch of Kamathipura'. According to Zaidi's description of Ganga, he was raised in a family of lawyers and academics in the village of Kathiawar, Gujarat, and was related to the royal family of Kathiawar. His family was quite strict, but he believed in encouraging his daughter to study, which was quite unusual in the 1940s. But Ganga wanted to become a film actor in Mumbai.
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In her teens, Ganga fell in love with an accountant hired by her father. A man named Ramnik Lal claimed that he spent a few years in Mumbai, which fueled his fascination with the Ganges. When Ramnik encourages Ganga's dream of going to Mumbai, love blossoms and soon the two decide to part ways. Ganga packs some cash and jewellery, marries Ramnik in a small temple and the two leave for Mumbai.
The first few days were hunky-dory but they were running out of money when Ramnik suggests Ganga to stay with her aunt for a few days so that she can arrange cheap accommodation. Ganga agreed and landed in the red light area of Kamathipura where she came to know that Ramnik had sold her for Rs 500.
Ganga now found herself in a brothel and for the first few days she was hungry and was continuously beaten up. Ganga realized that she could not go back to her family in Kathiawar as it would damage her reputation. When she thought of death, it seemed impossible because she was under constant surveillance. After two weeks, Ganga accedes to her brothel-keeper's demands. She told herself that she had been violated by the man who betrayed her, and that she would never recover. He adopted the name Gangu because he had started working in the commercial prostitution trade.
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According to Gangu's account of Zaidi, she was known in the area for her prowess in her trade and this fame eventually forced her to have an encounter with a man named Shaukat Khan who, within a few weeks, had an affair with her. Twice raped and crushed her. The second incident left Gangu hospitalized for a few weeks and when she realized that no one could save her from the wrath of the cruel client, she went to see her rapist's boss Abdul Karim Khan alias Karim Lala.
Gangu reached out to her for help and after hearing her plea he agreed to help her and also accepted her as Rakhi sister. The next time the man came to rape Gangu, he sent a message to Karim Lala and survived. The incident added to his reputation as Gangu was now supported by a man with underworld connections. Thanks to Karim Lala, he also got contact with the local police. Soon after, Gangubai Kathewali (a merger of the words 'Kothewali' and Kathiawadi), as she was now known, also won the gharwali election. The local term used for the brothel-keeper was gharwali; Zaidi explains that if the election is won, the sex worker's stature increases, and there are also a certain number of sex workers.
The story of Zaidi begins with the story of a girl named Madhu, who was brought to Kamathipura under false pretenses like Ganga. The story begins with the keeper of the local brothel calling Gangubai to talk to Madhu so that he can put her in line. Instead, after talking to Madhu, Gangubai decides to let her go to her native place. The chapter states that this incident earned Gangubai a good reputation as it was observed that she valued women more than money. However, the chapter also states that Gangubai will allow newly recruited women to leave only if she finds her case right. If not, then the woman will be banned from leaving the red light district. He also came to be known as Ganguma. Soon after, he won the big-gharwali election (superior to many householders in the area), giving him more power.
Gangubai was vocal for legalizing prostitution in the cities. At a women's convention at Azad Maidan, which saw women from various NGOs and political parties, Gangubai spoke out for sex workers. Here, he was projected as the 'President of Kamathipura'. Quoting Zaidi, she clearly said, 'I am a gharwali (brothel madam) and not a ghar breaker (house breaker)'.
According to Zaidi, Gangubai said that it is because of the sex workers that the "sanctity, integrity and morality" of other women are still protected. She even said that Mumbai was safe as Kamathipura was in its existence. 'The handful of women who meet the physical needs of men are really protecting you all from attack. These women help blunt animalistic male aggression,' she reportedly said.
He demanded equality for sex workers so that they are not discriminated against in the society. He concluded his speech by saying, 'We all should have at least one toilet in our homes so that we do not defecate and urinate in other rooms. This is the reason why there is a need for a prostitution bandage in every city.' Zaidi noted that the crowd applauded. Zaidi then noted that after this speech, Gangubai had become a celebrity of sorts, with various journalists and ministers visiting her.
Not much is known about the years that Zaidi mentions. She was known to have a love for gold jewelery and used to travel around in a Bentley car. She never married but adopted many children in the area. One of his sons named Babbi talks to Zaidi for a book and tells that he is fond of alcohol and gambling.
It's worth noting that one of the area's former restaurant owners (whose name is not in the book) told Zaidi that Gangubai was not the savior she was created to be. '... there certainly was a dark side to her that people have chosen to forget,' he said, adding that she was 'running a brothel at the end of the day.'
Zaidi mentions that not much is known about Gangubai's last days, but she died of old age between 1975–1978.