Know Gangubai Kothewali, The Legendary Brothel Madam Alia Bhatt Will Be Playing In SLB’s Next

After the whole drama around Inshallah, Alia Bhatt is finally all set to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The new project, tentatively titled Hira Mandi, will be based on the life of Gangubai Kothewali, the madam of Kamathipura brothels in Mumbai during the 60s.

She is featured in one of the chapters of Hussain Zaidi’s Mafia Queens Of Mumbai and she justifies the title like no other. Badass, fierce and remembered as a legend in the alleyways of Mumbai’s underworld she was one remarkable woman. Here are 5 things that you need to know about Mumbai’s legendary madame Gangubai Kothewali.

She Was Sold To Prostitution As A Young Woman

Gangubai was sold into prostitution by her boyfriend at a very young age. She plied her trade in Kamathipura and came to be one of Mumbai’s most legendary brothel madams. Despite her cruel circumstances, she was known to have a soft spot for women sold into prostitution. She cared for them like a mother and till date, her pictures adorn many walls of Kamathipura.

She Met Jawaharlal Nehru

Gangubai was well-known for her efforts to bring about better living conditions in Kamathipura. It is said that she even met Jawahar Lal Nehru and talked to him about the problems of sex workers. Nehru was reportedly impressed by her wit and clarity of thoughts.

She Owned A Bentley In 1960s

Gangubai had liaisons with some of the most powerful gangsters in Mumbai as most were his clients. She ruled over several brothels of Kamathipura with an iron fist. Although she lived in the slums of Kamathipura, she was rich enough to be the only brothel madam in the 60s to own a black Bentley.

She Was Fierce

The harsh life of Mumbai’s red-light district has made her into a tough lady. One of the most incidents includes her fighting with an important gang member of one of the most feared gangs in Mumbai for raping one of the girls from her brothel.