2025 GEORGIA, USA – Gangubai Kathiawadi is an artist’s book inspired by the namesake film by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Based on a true story, the film traces Gangubai’s journey from being deceived into prostitution to becoming a formidable leader who fights for dignity within the very system that once oppressed her.

 

Printed on fabric, the book is pleated and sewn to evoke the sari Gangu wears throughout the film. Loosely bound with metallic thread, it unfolds and sprawls like the cascading drape of a sari. As the garment expands, it reveals three pivotal moments in her life — the harsh realities of her profession, her rise to power, and the lingering ache of an untethered bond with her parents. The design draws directly from the film’s visual language. A predominantly white palette with striking red accents mirrors Gangu’s iconic attire — a plain white sari punctuated by a bold red bindi. The use of Devanagari script firmly anchors the work in its Hindi roots, reinforcing both cultural identity and narrative authenticity.