A long overdue movie review about the creative elements of Gangubai Kathiawadi
Nowadays, the film industry constantly tries to make media material that tackles social issues. They apply these issues to bring to light a specific cause or injustice and galvanize people to demand change. With this, many movies explore sex work, feminism, and gender themes. A clear example of this is the 2022 film Gangubai Kathiawadi. In fact, it is a biographical crime drama film based on the true story of the Mafia Queen of Mumbai.
ABOUT GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI
Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 Bollywood biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It was written by Hussain Zaidi, and Alia Bhatt played the lead in the movie. The film also stars Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, and Seema Pahwa.
The film is based on the true life of Ganga Jagjivandas Kathiawadi, also known as Gangubai Kothewali. It tells the journey of teenage girl Gangubai Kothewali, who was sold into prostitution by her admirer Ramnik Lal. Moreover, the film also follows how she eventually rose to become the madam of a brothel in Kamathipura.
Creative Elements of the Film
Characters
The film consists of dynamic and static characters. The different attitudes of each character in the movie can be perceived as good and evil. Most of the significant characters are dynamic, bringing color to their characterization. In addition, the cast did not just act but also embodied each character’s characterization. Moreover, the drama performed by the characters is well presented, and they added a humoristic approach that totally got the viewers.
The beauty of the movie is in how Gangubai’s character develops over different phases of her life. Although the story takes a while to get going and slows down a bit, it nonetheless makes an effect with its furious language and stirring scenes.
Colorization
Films stir emotions and ambiance in ways that viewers cannot even realize. The movie Gangubai Kathiawadi associates the color and light aspects of amplifying the overlaying emotions in every scene.
The film uses the color yellow to demonstrate the feeling of happiness and relaxation. When Gangubai won the presidential election against Razia, the color yellow in clothes, confetti, light, and color grading was employed. Thus, this showcases their feeling of enjoyment, happiness, and relaxation.
The second most used color in the film is the color blue. The film uses this light to demonstrate the feeling of sadness and amplifies the film’s dramaturgical narrative. The creatives of the films use this color in many scenes, like when Gangu was on their front door to attract men. In this scene, the blue clothes, blue background, and partly blue makeup signify the feeling of coldness.
Symbols in Gangubai Kathiawadi
A. Gold as a symbolism of superiority
Throughout the film, Gangubai is seen as a woman who loves jewelry, specifically gold. This may be inferred that Gangubai was particularly interested in displaying their money and social standing if they wore or displayed gold. Moreover, as Gangubai was dubbed the Mafia Queen of Mumbai, the gold accessories are treasured and associated with wealth, status, power, and societal rank.
B. Rose symbolizes respect.
In India, it is customary to give a red rose to the lady of the night. However, Prime Minister Nehru gave a rose to Gangubai as a sign of respect for the woman who hopes for a better tomorrow for her family. This means that even though Gangubai engages in unlawful activities, she still cultivates a moral universe all her own.
The film Gangubai Kathiawadi serves as a powerful tool that brings the issues to the table in a captivating way.
Thus, it created a way to spark conversation and even social movements. Moreover, it presented the severe problems of prostitution, injustices, and discrimination in a creative and serious form utilizing performances and drama. Furthermore, it is an excellent film to watch with your family and friends. If you are young, be sure to tag along with an adult for them to explain the different issues being discussed in the film.
Gangubai Kathiawadi educates the world about different problems. Both known and unknown, heard and unheard struggles of people in the prostitution profession. Through this, it presents that these problems are real and exist. Through this presentation, we can all strive to connect to the global community. Moreover, we should always bear in mind that now is the time to engage in making a difference for our collective future.
