"It's not there to offend anyone" Alia Bhatt on the controversy surrounding Vijay Raaz's Transwoman role in Gangubai Kathiawadi
Gangubai Kathiawadi is the most awaited film of 2022. Its leading lady Alia Bhatt is currently in Berlin to attend the Berlin International Film Festival where Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi premieres.
Alia is being praised for her stunning work in the biographical crime drama as a mafia don and the madam of a brothel. Along with Alia Bhatt, Vijay Raaz, who will play a transwoman, is another performance to look forward to. In the film, Vijay plays the antagonist, Gangubai's rival, Razia Bai. However, a certain section of the society feels that someone from the trans community should have played the role.
While Alia Bhatt acknowledges the point of contention, she believes it is a matter of the director's vision. “Maybe the director found it interesting to have an actor like Vijay Raaz, who identifies as male, play a trans character,'' she said. Furthermore, the Student of the Year (2012) actress stated that while Vijay has never portrayed a role like this before on the big screen, it showcases his ability to turn into the character and perform.
Gangubai Kathiawadi is set to release on February 25, 2022.
