Gulaab Gang Movie Review

Film: Gulab Gang

Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Tannishtha Chatterjee

Director: Anubhav Sinha

India for a very long time played a hub to those egoistic saints who believed women were born to raise children, being beaten, disrespected and live no life of their own.

With changing times, women have been empowered by laws, education and other helpful aspects that not only gave them the confidence to live life on their own terms but also cemented their foothold in a men-driven country.

Through ‘Gulab Gang’ director Anubhav Sinha beautifully showcased an insight on the lives the women of today’s times and their struggle to stand up to those who are ready waiting to crush them beneath the age old mind-set.

Two contemporaries of their times Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla have come together for ‘Gulab Gang’, a story about two women played by Madhuri (Gulab Gang leader) and Juhi (politician), while the former believes the depraving condition of women could be changed with women empowerment, the latter thinks that a woman in power holds the key to up-liftment.
The film shows the atrocities thrown upon women which are opposed by a gang of Indian women dressed in pink coloured saris. The gang popularly known as ‘Gulab Gang’ works towards fighting the social injustice prevailing in and around Bundelkhand (UP&MP).

Madhuri play the role of the Gulab Gang leader who believes in empowering the women. She along with other gang members resides in a village in Bundelkhand and works towards admonishing social injustice towards women within community. Together they stand up and fight for women who are victim of domestic abuse and are often mishandled by their husbands & other male members of the community.

Madhuri portrays the role of a fierce woman who regardless of her identity defies the devious customs of the society. She not only fights for women empowerment but also initiates education to make women self-depended.

Leading them, Madhuri and her group make laathis (bamboo sticks) their weapon to punish those abusive husbands until they stop abusing their spouses.

The journey towards the second half shows the entrance of Juhi Chawla who plays the role of shrewd politician. She believes that a woman in power holds the key to control the society. Only power satisfies her quest to winning, hence she ruthlessly tries to have control over the society.

On the other hand, the state people start living under the fear of facing dire consequences from the women gang leaders.

And as it goes two swords cannot be fit in one sheath. Therefore seeing the growing popularity of Madhuri and Gulab Gang as menace to herself and her political career, Juhi senses this as a golden opportunity and tries to get a coalition with Madhuri; asking her to step down as the gang leader in return of favours.

But her refusal ensues a battle of powers. The story unfolds as to how women following two different principles come at loggerheads.

Director Anubhav Sinha has come a long way since his ‘Tum Bin’ days. His last work with Shah Rukh Khan in Ra.One may not have worked too well for his directorial profile, but his hopes are high for Gulab Gang.

Anubhav successfully got together two biggest leading divas (of their times) Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla to work together for the first time. For the first ever time Juhi Chawla is working in a negative role. Let’s see what a deadly combination like this creates on screen.