UNSTOPPABLE ALIA

Why did you choose to do a character like Gangubai?

I did not know much about Gangubai but when I read the script she came out to me as a very powerful woman.

Her speech at the Azad Maidan, her struggle to reach the Azad Maidan, her meeting with Prime Minister Nehru and the powerful woman she was despite coming from a brothel made me keen on playing the character.

How long did it take for you to get into the character of Gangubai?

The character is from a young Gangubai to a middleaged Gangubai so we started shooting the young part before so that I could get into the intensity of the character in later years.

It took me about a week to sink myself into the character of Gangubai.

What made you choose the film at first? Was it the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali or was it the script of the film?

It was the director.

Why did Bhansali choose you as this is a very cutthroat character and you seem to be a very delicate person?

Bhansali always wants to do something which is not very obvious and he likes to create challenges.

He said that he could see the “fire in my eyes”, which he seems in the character of Gangubai.

Gangubai’s speech is harsh but one can see the vulnerability in her eyes and I think that’s why he chose me.

Which actress do you look up to and who inspires you.

Kareena Kapoor is my eternal favourite.

Is Sanjay Leela Bhansali a strict director?

No, he is not a strict director but he is a very particular director. He is very particular about what he wants to show on camera so I enjoyed working with him coz it is fun to do difficult things. One cannot enjoy which is easy. Mr Bhansali dil se kaam karte hai taaki hum logon ke dil tak phunch sakein.

How was it to work with Ajay Devgan in the film?

It was amazing to work with Ajay Devgan as his character has a huge impact on the film. His character in the film is very important for the growth of Gangubai’s character.

What is the best part about the character of Gangubai?

The entire character is great but in the film, the character of Gangubai always says that she is from Kathiawar.

She was proud of her roots and the speech at Azad maidan is what I found amazing. The film is all set to release in the theatres on February 25 but before that, the film will be premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on February 16.