Sanjay Leela Bhansali on making 'Gangubai Kathiawadi': We were never restricted

Starring Alia Bhatt in the titular part, the magnum opus is a biographical crime-drama, adapted from one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi’s book ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Wednesday said directors enjoy "tremendous" creative freedom in India and he never faced any "restrictions" during the making of his latest movie "Gangubai Kathiawadi".

Bhansali, who faced many hurdles before the release of his last film "Padmaavat", said freedom of expression is "given and its full power is there" in India.

"I think we're in a country where freedom of expression is given and its full power is there. We were never restricted. We were never stopped from saying anything we wanted to. We were never told what to say and what not to say. It's completely up to us. "So the kind of creative freedom that a filmmaker or an actor or a producer enjoys in our country is tremendous. And I think it's very commendable that till now we've not been restricted or put into a corner and say, 'You can't do this.' But no, we didn't have to take any permissions or anything," the 58-year-old filmmaker told reporters.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Berlin International Film Festival where "Gangubai Kathiawadi" is set to have its world premiere in the Berlinale Special Gala segment.

Starring Alia Bhatt in the titular part, the magnum opus is a biographical crime-drama, adapted from one of the chapters of noted author Hussain Zaidi's book "Mafia Queens of Mumbai".

The period film presents the story of Gangubai, one of the most powerful, loved and respected madams from Mumbai's red-light area Kamathipura during the 1960s.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the film's screening, Bhansali said the movie presents a story about a "ferocious warrior" who was way ahead of her time and fought her the rights of sex workers.