Know The Real Story Of Gangubai Kathiawadi

Who was Gangubai Kathiawadi?

Famous for her style of wearing sarees with a broad golden border and wearing a red bindi on her forehead, the Mafia Queen – Gangubai Kathiawadi had respect in one hand and power in another.

Claimed the title of “Mafia Queen,” Gangubai had earned her rights and fans in her life. The recently released Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ took the viewers by storm with her story of betrayal and becoming an empress of her reign.

Mad4India brings a story of betrayal and redemption, the tale of Gangubai Kathiwadi.

What was the real-life story of Gangubai?

Popularly known as Gangubai Kathiawdi, she was born in Kathiawar, present-day Gujarat, India. Born and raised in a renowned family, she was an Indian social activist and was vocal about the plight of sex workers in the 1860s.

While growing up, she had the dream of becoming an actress. In the craving of coming to the city of dreams – Mumbai, Gangubai was 16 years old when Gangubai ran away from her home with her lover Ramnik Lal. She was sold into prostitution by her suitor and thus was ditched in the darkest streets of Mumbai.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is one of those figures who influenced Mumbai and came to be recognized as the lady who had a connection with the underworld, Karim Lala, who was the mafia face in the city in the 1960s.

The Mafia Queen of Mumbai was also known as a prominent personality in the red-light area of the city called Kamathipura.

Later in life, Gangubai became an active speaker on the plight faced by sex workers, contributed to the better living of the orphans, and lobbied for the rights of the commercial sex workers.

Another name for Gangubai Kathiwadi was Madam of Kamathipura, as her relationship turned better with Karim Lala, where she made him his brother. In return, Karim Lala gave the reign of Kamathipura to Gangubai and engraved his trust in her.

Thrown in the darkest pit, Gangubai knew the truth. She never exploited children and women, and neither did she force them into prostitution. She faced a lot of hardships, and that made her powerful eventually. Gangubai was determined and confident in improving the condition of sex-workes, and indeed she worked for them. The orphans and women in Kamthipura considered Gangubai Kathiwadi as her own and would stand by her under any circumstance.

She also met Jawaharlal Nehru to discuss the basic rights of the children of sex workers and their living conditions.

Despite the unwanted circumstance, Gangubai stood up to her principles and ruled Mumbai, claiming the title ‘Mafia Queen.” her love story was filled with drama and suffering read how her lover betrayed her –Gangubai Kathiawadi: The Real Life Story Of Betrayal, Struggle, And Power.

Sources of information – Jagran Josh & Wikipedia

To know more about Gangubai Kathiawadi, please check – Wikipedia

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