SC suggests title change of Alia Bhatt's Gangubai Kathiawadi two days before its release

The Supreme Court on Wednesday suggested filmmaker Sanja Leela Bhansali change the name of his new movie Gangubai Kathiawadi, releasing this Friday. The court has made the suggestion in light of the several cases pending before courts seeking to halt its release.

A bench headed by Justice Indira Banerjee in the Supreme Court suggested to producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who made the film Gangubai Kathiawadi, whether the name of the film could be changed. Bhansali's lawyer Siddharth Dave said that he would take the instructions, after which the matter was adjourned for hearing on Thursday.

Several cases have been filed against the movie seeking to halt its release – Gangubai Kathaiwadi is based on the real-life sex worker who rose to political prominence in the neighbourhood of Kamathipura in Mumbai. Among these cases is one by Babu Ravji Shah, the real Gangubai's adopted son.

Gangubai Kathiawadi is adapted from Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai and stars Alia Bhatt in the title role.

Babu Ravji Shah alleges that the film is defamatory towards his mother. He has challenged an order from the Bombay High Court which refused to stay the release of the film. There is a slew of complaints filed against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film, including one by Maharashtra MLA Amin Patel and Kamathipura resident Shraddha Surve, reported news agency ANI.

If Gangubai Kathiawadi is subjected to a name change, it will be the latest in other films by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to be released with a different title after Goliyon Ka Raasleela Ram-Leela and Padmaavat.

Gangubai Kathiawadi co-stars Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh and Seema Pahwa. Ajay Devgn appears as mafia don Karim Lala.