Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi is amongst the much-awaited film of 2020. Everyone is eager to witness Alia Bhatt is her new bold avatar in this Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming venture. But sadly, the shoot of the film came to an indefinite halt because of lockdown imposed in the nation because of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The shoot of Gangubai Kathiawadi was going on in Mumbai’s Film City and for that purpose, a grand set of huge amounts was built. It was said that the shoot will begin as soon as the pandemic subsides and the situation goes back to normalcy. However, the number of patients tested positive for COVID-19 increased in the past few weeks and PM Narendra Modi extended the lockdown till 3rd May.
Due to the extension in the lockdown, the Rs. 6 crore set of Gangubai Kathiawadi has been dismantled. The sources close to the development said, “Bhansali and his leading lady Alia Bhatt were hoping (against hope) that the current coronavirus crisis would blow over after some time. But as weeks of a lockdown seem to be turning into months, the fear that Bollywood filmmakers won’t be able to shoot until 2021 is driving one of the world’s most active entertainment industries into a bundle of nerves.”
The source further added that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is amongst those directors who pay attention to even small things on the sets and want it to be detailed and expensive. The ace director was hoping to return for the shoot post the lockdown but sadly the monsoon will arrive and hence, the set had to be taken down.
On the work front, Alia Bhatt was last seen in Gully Boy alongside Ranveer Singh. Alia’s role as Safeena was appreciated and lauded by everyone. Post Gangubai Kathiawadi, Alia will be next seen in Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan along with her.
Talking about Gangubai Kathiawadi, the film is slated to release on 11th September but a delay is likely to happen as the major chunk of the film is yet to be shot.