Gangubai Kathiawadi

Gangubai (Alia Bhatt) was sold at a young age by her partner to a brothel in Bombay, where she had to endure many hardships and humiliations. Nevertheless, over time she managed to take control over her life and rise to the top of the hierarchy in the ruthless world of prostitution. She now uses her tenaciousness and good connections with the local mafia to fight for the rights of all women working in the Indian sex industry. In this drama set in the mid-20th century, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, renowned for the visual ornateness of his films, takes inspiration from real-life prostitute and activist Ganga Harjeevandas, who tried to push for the legalisation of prostitution in conservative India. (Prague Indian Film Festival)