Bhansalis

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi may have become a landmark film for Alia Bhatt, earning her a National Award at the 69th National Film Awards, but the role wasn’t always destined for her. In a recent interview, singer and television host Aditya Narayan revealed that Bhansali originally considered casting Rani Mukerji in the titular role.

In an interview with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa on their channel, Aditya talked about his professional ups and downs and how he later ended up working with Bhansali in close association. He told that after the flop of his 2010 debut film Shaapit, his career took a downturn. Although the music of the film became popular, the film itself was a flop, and Aditya remained unemployed for almost an entire year. He even remembered an instance when “a ₹2 PR person” did not want to represent him, and all of the offers lost overnight.

It took a turn when he got an offer for hosting on X Factor, where Bhansali was a judge. At Sonu Nigam’s behest, Aditya requested Bhansali if he could take his assistance as he was keen on learning filmmaking. Being initially skeptical, Bhansali didn’t even give him any work for the first week, expecting that Aditya wouldn’t survive. But once he saw his tenacity, Bhansali slowly started giving him work.

Aditya then disclosed that Bhansali had two scripts on his desk during this period—Ram-Leela and Gangubai Kathiawadi. “He showed us the two scripts and asked us which of them was better,” Aditya remembered. “I think he was thinking of making Gangubai Kathiawadi with Rani Mukerji around that time.”. I preferred Ram-Leela more.” Ultimately, Bhansali proceeded with Ram-Leela in 2013, starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, and held onto Gangubai Kathiawadi until he cast Alia Bhatt years later.

Gangubai Kathiawadi, based on a chapter from Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens of Mumbai, tells the story of a young woman who is forced into prostitution and eventually becomes a powerful figure in Mumbai’s red-light district. The film also stars Vijay Raaz, Seema Pahwa, Shantanu Maheshwari, Ajay Devgn, and others. It was both a critical and commercial success, earning ₹211.5 crore globally.

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Aditya Narayan is also currently featured in Ashneer Grover’s show Rise & Fall, while Bhansali is now busy with the production of his next magnum opus, Love & War, featuring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal, releasing in 2026.