Relief for Alia Bhatt-Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’; Mumbai Court dismisses suit seeking injunction against novel and film – Times of India

The Mumbai City Civil Court on Wednesday, dismissed a suit by Babuji Shah, the purported adopted son of Gangubai Kathiawadi, who claimed that certain chapters in the novel The Mafia Queens of Mumbai were ‘defamatory and tarnished her reputation’. Shah also claimed that the book infringed upon the right to privacy and self-respect of his purported deceased mother and hence sought a permanent injunction against authors S Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges to restrain them from publishing, selling or creating third party rights on their novel.

According to a report on Bar and Bench, the suit also sought an injunction against Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions from producing, directing or airing their upcoming venture that is based on the novel. The film will see Alia Bhatt in the titular with Ajay Devgn featuring in a supporting role.

The suit claimed that the authors did not seek permission or consent from the plaintiff, before writing the novel or making the movie.

According to the report, director Bhansali filed a notice of motion on behalf of Bhansali Productions and lead actress Alia Bhatt, who was also added as a defendant in the suit and sought rejection of the plaint on various grounds, including Shah showing no proof to being the legal heir.

After hearing the matter, Additional Sessions Judge RM Sadrani allowed the notice of motion filed by Bhansali Productions and rejected the plaint filed by Shah.

The upcoming film will reportedly follow the life of Gangubai who was sold into prostitution but went on to become one of the most revered and powerful women in Mumbai city. She built her ties in the underworld and is said to have worked for the uplifting of women and orphans in the red light area of Kamathipura.