Alia Bhatt to resume shoot with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ garba song

Given that the state is starting to unlock after an extended lockdown and filmmakers have been permitted to resume shoot with restrictions, Alia Bhatt will be returning to the sets of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’. The film’s shoot will start with a dance sequence that is going to be a rather tough and challenging one for the actress.

It will be an authentic classical song that will be choreographed by Kruti Mahesh, who has previously worked with Bhansali on the song ‘Ghoomar’, which had won the National Award for Choreography.While ‘Ghoomar’ had about 30 dancers to light up the frame, this time around, Kruti will have to manage with about 12 dancers--a mix of boys and girls. The traditional song will be set in the interiors of Gujarat. President of the Cine Dancers Association, Zahid Shaikh informs, “There are nine girls and four boys required for the dance sequence which will start on June 15 in Film City studio'.'

When asked about the normal requirement of dancers for Bhansali films, Zahid revealed it is usually between 50 to 200 dancers. “But considering the present scenario, they have kept it limited to adhere to the guidelines issued by the government,'' he clarifies.
Incidentally, this is the song Alia was shooting for when she had tested positive for Covid-19 after which the shoot was called off by Bhansali. ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ is based on the life of Gangubai, a brothel owner in Kamathipura in the 1960s. Bhansali has recreated the entire era on the set with almost 80 per cent of the film being shot there.
It may be noted here that Bhansali had to announce this film after Salman Khan had opted out of his project ‘Inshallah’ at the last minute. Bhansali had first offered the role to Priyanka Chopra and Rani Mukerji.