Before Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted Rani Mukerji like Gangubai: Adityya Narayan: Bollywood News
The singer and television host Aditya Narayan recently shared a less known detail on the early development of the film acclaimed by the criticism of Sanjay Leela Bhansali Gangubai Kathiawadi. In a conversation with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiya on their Youtube channel, Aditya revealed that Bhansali had initially planned to launch Rani Mukerji in the main role – years before the film was finally made with Alia Bhatt.
Before Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted Rani Mukerji as Gangubai: Aditya Narayan
Adityya, who has already worked with Bhansali as deputy director, said the occasion had come after a difficult period of her career. After the commercial failure of his film ShaapitAdityya had trouble finding work and was highlighted for almost a year. Meanwhile, even the fundamental support of public relations professionals has dried up and the offers of the previous project have disappeared.
His fortune began to move when he had the chance to welcome X Factor India, where Bhansali was one of the judges. Encouraged by singer Sonu Nigam, Aditya expressed interest in learning cinema and approached Bhansali for a role of assistant director. Initially, Bhansali did not take it seriously. “He didn’t give me a job the first week – probably thought I would stop,” recalls Aditya. But finally, Bhansali involved it in the creative process. Meanwhile, Bhansali developed two scripts –Ram-leela And Gangubai Kathiawadi. According to Adityya, the director asked his team comments on both. “He tied the two scripts to us and asked which we thought better. I liked Ram-leela more, ”said Adityya. He also revealed that Bhansali had already considered Gangubai Kathiawadi With Rani Mukerji in the main role. However, the project took a different turn and several years later, the role went to Alia Bhatt.
When Gangubai Kathiawadi Finally released in 2022, he became both a critical and commercial success. Based on a chapter of the book by Hussain Zaidi Mafia Queens of MumbaiThe film followed the life of Gangubai, a woman who went from difficult circumstances to become a powerful and influential figure in the district of Kamathipura de Mumbai. Alia Bhatt’s performance has earned her the national prize for the best actress with the 69th National Film Awards.
The film also included Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh, Seema Pahwa and Ajay Devgn, and continued to win Rs. 211.5 crores around the world. At present, Aditya Narayan appears on the reality show Rise & Fall, hosted by Ashener Grover, while Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently working on her next film, Love and warWith Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The film should be released in 2026.
Read also: two of my favorite actors: Ranbir Kapoor speaks by working with Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt in Love & War by Bhansali
More pages: Gangubai Kathiawadi Box Office Collection, Gangubai Kathiawadi Movie Review
Bollywood News – Updates live
Catch us for the latest news from Bollywood, the new update of Bollywood films, the Box-Office collection, the release of new films, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News TODAY & FUMING FILMS 2025 and stay up to date with the latest Hindi movies on Bollywood HUNGAMA.
