Sanjay Leela Bhansali was contemplating making a big-budget movie Inshallah starring Alia Bhatt and Salman Khan. However, for multiple reasons including creative differences between actor and director the film got shelved. The filmmaker has now revealed how this affected Alia Bhatt. Speaking to Hollywood Reporter India, SLB revealed that the actress was shattered, disheartened and locked herself in room. He even shared how she bagged Gangubai Kathiwadi after Inshallah was put off. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I was doing Inshallah with her. Then it suddenly got shelved. She broke down, cracked up, cried, raved, ranted, and locked herself in a room. Then I called her up after one week, and I said you are playing Gangubai. She said, 'From Los Angeles, where I was supposed to be playing the character (in Inshallah), I have come to Kamathipura. How do I do it? I don't know this character'. I said, 'Do you trust me, and do you know me?' Then I'll tap into that strong woman in you because I can see it in your eyes. I can see how strong how convinced you are of certain things that you do, I've understood your personality'.”

He went on to add, "How do you tap into an actor who says, 'I didn't know I could play the brothel madam. I didn't know I had a lower pitch, I didn't know I had to stand there and do this. I've started enjoying sir.' And she just flew into the role. She even today sometimes talks like Gangubai. It's so much a part of it. It's so beautiful to have believed in her, to have tapped in her."

Gangbbai Kathiawadi was a 2022 hit film based on the life of brothel queen Gangubai ruling Mumbai’s famous Kamathipura. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali the film featured Alia Bhatt in leading role portraying the real-life character. The director and actress duo will once again collaborate in romance saga Love & War.