Movie Analysis Gangubai
Movie Analysis Gangubai
Movie analysis is when film is analysed for cultural context, symbolism, narrative
structure and mise-en-scene, among other approaches. It involves dissecting and interpreting
different components of a movie to uncover its underlying messages, social commentary, and
and symbolism. It encourages critical thinking, deepens our appreciation for the art form, and
provides a platform for discussion and interpretation. Furthermore, movie analysis allows us
to explore the profound impact that movies have on society, as they often reflect and shape
enjoy and understand films on a deeper level. It also gives them the tools to see each new
film as more than just a form of entertainment, but as source material for examples and
models of every type of human behaviour that can be portrayed. Film is a hugely popular
By analysing the psychology behind films, viewers understand how films communicate and
It allows us to unravel the complexities of a film, connect with its characters, and
interpret its underlying messages, ultimately enhancing our enjoyment and engagement with
the medium. Ultimately, movie analysis encourages critical thinking and engages viewers in a
dialogue with the film. It invites us to go beyond a passive consumption of entertainment and
prompts us to question, interpret, and reflect upon the themes, messages, and impact of the
Attitudes are predisposed feelings learned over time that cause us to act, think, and
feel a certain way about events or other people. Predisposed refers to a tendency to feel a
certain way. Attitudes generally inform how we treat other people and react to situations in
our lives.
If we have a positive attitude toward dogs, we will generally be happy when we see a
dog. If we hold a negative attitude toward dogs, like the attitude that dogs are dangerous, we
will try to avoid dogs whenever possible! Attitudes are primarily feelings, but they impact our
thoughts and actions as well. Some attitudes are quite stable and resistant to change, while
others may be unstable and show considerable variability depending on the situation
(Schwarz & Bohner, 2001).It can be hard to separate the feeling part of an attitude from the
thinking and doing parts. Our behaviours and reactions, in turn, can also impact our attitudes.
The study of attitudes is central to the field of social psychology because they are capable of
Attitudes can influence our thoughts, even if they are not always reflected in our overt
behaviour. Moreover, while many of our attitudes are explicit attitudes (conscious and
reportable) other attitudes may be implicit attitudes (uncontrollable and perhaps not
people will report positive explicit attitudes toward African Americans. However they may
also display negative involuntary evaluative reactions (implicit attitudes) because it is almost
impossible to grow up in the United States without acquiring such negative racial
Attitudes are made up of three parts: affective, behavioural, and cognitive. These parts are
sometimes referred to as the ABC model of attitudes. Any attitude can include these three
parts, but not all attitudes include all three of them. These parts help us identify our attitudes
Affective Component
The affective component of attitude encompasses our emotional response to the object
of our attitude. If we believe dogs are dangerous, we will experience anxiety or fear when we
see a dog. We might even feel afraid just thinking about dogs or seeing a picture of one! An
attitude that is built largely on the affective component is called an affective-based attitude.
Behavioural Component
The behavioural component of attitude encompasses the way we act toward the object
of our attitude. Crossin the street to avoid a dog is the behavioural component of a negative or
fearful attitude toward dogs. Our behaviour is not always secondary to our attitudes.
Sometimes we may not even have an immediate sense of how we feel about something until
we examine our behaviour. An attitude that is built largely on the behavioural component is
Cognitive Component
The cognitive component of attitude encompasses our beliefs and thoughts about the
object of our attitude. It includes our knowledge about a particular thing or topic. Often, these
cognitive components can be based on overgeneralized assumptions like "All drugs are bad."
attitude.
Theories of Attitudes
Several theories have been proposed to explain the formation and structure of
attitudes. One prominent theory is the cognitive dissonance theory, introduced by Leon
Festinger in 1957. This theory suggests that individuals strive for consistency between their
attitudes and behaviours, and when inconsistency arises, they experience cognitive
discomfort or dissonance. To reduce this dissonance, individuals may change their attitudes,
beliefs, or behaviours. Another influential theory is the social learning theory, proposed by
Albert Bandura in the 1970s. This theory suggests that attitudes are acquired through
observation and imitation of others' behaviours. People learn attitudes by observing the
rewards and punishments associated with certain behaviours, and they may adopt those
The elaboration likelihood model (ELM) is another important theory in the field of
attitudes. Developed by Richard E. Petty and John T. Cacioppo in the 1980s, this model
suggests that attitude change can occur through two routes: the central route and the
peripheral route. The central route involves thoughtful and deliberate processing of
information, whereas the peripheral route relies on cues such as attractiveness or credibility
of the communicator
Attitude Formation
Attitudes can be formed through various factors, including experience, social factors,
may emerge due to direct personal experience, or they may result from observation.
Social factors
Social roles and social norms can have a strong influence on attitudes. Social roles
relate to how people are expected to behave in a particular role or context. Social norms
Learning
commercial, you see young, beautiful people having fun on a tropical beach while enjoying a
sports drink. This attractive and appealing imagery causes you to develop a positive
Conditioning
Operant Conditioning can also be used to influence how attitudes develop. Imagine a
young man who has just started smoking. Whenever he lights up a cigarette, people
complain, chastise him, and ask him to leave their vicinity. This negative feedback from those
around him eventually causes him to develop an unfavourable opinion of smoking and he
Observation
When someone you admire greatly espouses a particular attitude, you are more likely
to develop the same beliefs. For example, children spend a great deal of time observing the
While attitudes can have a powerful effect on behaviour, they are not set in stone. The
same influences that lead to attitude formation can also create attitude change. Classical
conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning can be used to bring about
attitude change. Classical conditioning can be used to create positive emotional reactions to
an object, person, or event by associating positive feelings with the target object.
Operant conditioning can be used to strengthen desirable attitudes and weaken undesirable
ones. People can also change their attitudes after observing the behaviour of others.
Theory of persuasion suggests that people can alter their attitudes in two ways. First,
they can be motivated to listen and think about the message, thus leading to an attitude shift.
Or, they might be influenced by the characteristics of the speaker, leading to a temporary or
surface shift in attitude. Messages that are thought-provoking and that appeal to logic are
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that results from holding two
their attitudes and perceptions, so this conflict causes unpleasant feelings of unease or
discomfort.
inconsistency between their attitudes and behaviours, they may feel uncomfortable and seek
existing attitudes, one can promote attitude change and reduce cognitive dissonance.
Attribution
Attribution theory focuses on how people explain the causes of behaviours and
events. In the context of attitudes, attribution refers to the process of assigning causal
explanations to the attitudes of oneself or others. Attribution can be categorized into internal
characteristics, traits, or disposition. For example, if someone has a positive attitude toward
helping others, it may be attributed to their compassionate nature. External attribution, on the
particular political party, it may be attributed to the influence of their social surroundings or
media exposure.
change. People often attribute their own attitudes to internal factors, such as personal beliefs
or values. However, when explaining the attitudes of others, they tend to rely on external
communication techniques.
Review of Literature
A study by Sahoo, D., Harichandan, S., Kar, S. K., & S, S. (2022, June). An empirical study
on consumer motives and attitude towards adoption of electric vehicles in India: Policy
The aim of the study is to investigate the motives behind users’ attitude formation,
behavioural intention, and word of mouth towards electric vehicles, an online survey was
conducted among Indian youths who are currently using or potential users of electric
vehicles. Data were collected by applying a multi-stage stratified sampling method, structural
equation modelling technique. The results showed that while positive and social motives
influence positive attitudes, the negative motives discourage and negatively affect electric
vehicle adoption. The moderating impact of buyer involvement (high vs low) between
motives and attitude was also tested. The study findings suggest that stakeholders can shape
the motives through government policy and strategic action. (Sahoo et al., 2022)
This study (Karkera & Esaimani, 2021) seeks to discover different elements of
retail sector and their degree of influence on buying decisions. This research solely includes
organised retail shops such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, retailers and shopping centres in
Pune city of Maharashtra, India. The study helps merchants to manage a firm successfully for
the long term through appropriate tactics to address the cognitive dissonance behaviour of
customer to retain them in long term. The two hypothesis were – There is no significant
buying/ purchasing decision of consumer. The sample sizes of the study were 120 (Retail
consumers). The findings of this study revealed that marketing elements, personal factors,
psychological factors, situational factors, social aspects, cultural factors, and quality
product in a retail store. The study also discovered that there is a significance relationship
between Cognitive Dissonance Behavior and Consumer Purchasing Decisions in the Retail
Industry. The findings will help marketers and academics understand the relevance of
beliefs and justifications among smokers in India: Tobacco Control Policy (TCP) India
Previous research in high-income countries has shown that smokers reduce their
cognitive dissonance through two types of justifications over time: risk minimizing and
functional beliefs. This study (Sidhu & Pednekar, 2022) examined these justifications and
their relation to quitting behavior and intentions among smoking tobacco users in India. The
data are from the Tobacco Control Policy (TCP) India Survey, a prospective cohort of
nationally representative sample of tobacco users. Key measures include questions about
psychosocial beliefs such as functional beliefs (e.g., smoking calms you down when you are
stressed or upset) and risk-minimizing beliefs (e.g., the medical evidence that smoking is
harmful is exaggerated) and quitting behavior and intentions. The results suggest that
smokers in India exhibit similar patterns of dissonance reduction as reported in studies from
HICs: smokers who quit reduced their smoking justifications in the form of functional beliefs,
not risk-minimizing beliefs. Smokers’ beliefs change in concordance with their smoking
behavior and functional beliefs tend to play a significant role as compared to risk-
minimizing beliefs.
A study by Chen, S., Xiao, L., & Mao, J. (2021, September). Persuasion strategies of
underlying the presentation and spread of online misinformation, a study was done to look at
the use of persuasive methods and its impact on the propagation of postings in Sina Weibo
posts could have an impact on netizens. The study also intends to investigate the connections
including subject, intended action, and digital element. According to the study's findings,
pathos methods are more frequently used to persuade people in posts that contain false
information than in posts without such material. Additionally, the subjects, anticipated
behaviours, and digital components of the messages all correspond to the persuasive
techniques utilised in the posts that include false information. Additionally, we discovered
contained false information. The results of this study suggest a complicated and context-
dependent process that underlies the display and spread of disinformation, which provides
insight into the attempts to combat misinformation in social media. (Chen et al., 2021)
Many youth today are physically inactive. Recent attention linking the physical or
built environment to physical activity in adults suggests an investigation into the relationship
between the built environment and physical activity in children could guide appropriate
intervention strategies. Thirty three quantitative studies that assessed associations between
the physical environment (perceived or objectively measured) and physical activity among
children (ages 3 to 18-years) and fulfilled selection criteria were reviewed. Findings were
across the various studies showed that children's participation in physical activity is
facilities and schools) and transport infrastructure (presence of sidewalks and controlled
intersections, access to destinations and public transportation). At the same time, transport
infrastructure (number of roads to cross and traffic density/speed) and local conditions
(crime, area deprivation) are negatively associated with children's participation in physical
activity. Results highlight links between the physical environment and children's physical
activity. Additional research using a transdisciplinary approach and assessing moderating and
Movie Analysis
Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The movie is based on a chapter from the book "Mafia Queens of
Mumbai" by journalist Hussain Zaidi, which portrays the life of Gangubai Kothewali, a
powerful and influential figure in the red-light district of Kamathipura, Mumbai, during the
1960s.
The film follows the journey of Gangubai, played by Alia Bhatt, who is sold into
prostitution at a young age and rises to become the matriarch of Kamathipura. Gangubai is
known for her intelligence, resilience, and fierce determination to protect and uplift the
women in her community. She navigates through a male-dominated underworld and gains
The screenplay provides a well-paced narrative that blends elements of crime, drama,
and emotion. The storytelling technique keeps the audience engaged throughout the film,
weaving together Gangubai's personal struggles, her rise to power, and her efforts to bring
justice to the women of Kamathipura. The dialogues are impactful and capture the essence of
The supporting cast, including Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, and Seema Pahwa,
delivers commendable performances, adding depth to the film's narrative. The music,
composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is a mix of soulful melodies and energetic dance
realities faced by women in the red-light district and the complex dynamics of the Mumbai
underworld during that era. The film successfully portrays Gangubai as a complex and
The film also addresses important social issues, such as the exploitation of women,
the power dynamics in the underworld, and the strength of female solidarity. Gangubai's
determination to protect and empower the women in her community reflects the resilience
and spirit of countless real-life women who have faced similar challenges. However, some
critics have pointed out that the film glamorizes and romanticizes the life of a sex worker,
potentially overshadowing the harsh realities of the profession. The film's portrayal of
Gangubai's character may be seen as overly sympathetic, downplaying the complexities and
showcases the prowess of both its director and lead actress. It delves into the life of an
extraordinary woman, leaving the audience with a mix of emotions and a deeper
Attitude
and behavioural intentions. In the movie, Gangubai’s attitude towards herself and her
Initially, Gangubai is a naive young woman who is tricked into coming to Mumbai.
Aged 16, she fell in love with her father’s accountant and ran away with him to Mumbai. Her
life changed when her husband sold her for Rs. 1000 to a brothel. This forced her into
prostitution. Thus, begins her journey from Ganga to Gangubai. She is ashamed of her
situation and believes that she is worthless. However, as she begins to learn more about the
world of prostitution and the women who work in it, she begins to change her attitude. She
realizes that she is not alone and that she has the power to make a difference in the lives of
other women. She also begins to see herself as a valuable and capable person.
She manages to turn all her troubles to her advantage. The violent behaviour of a
known criminal, which ends up with her in the hospital, results in getting the protection of
mafia leader Rahim Lala, with him eventually becoming her sworn brother. Her antagonism
with Sheela ends up with her as the definite winner, taking over the brother with the help of
the local prostitutes, all of which seem to adore her. A bit later, as the story comes to the
present again, she renames herself Gangubai, and runs in the local elections against all
powerful Razia, again winning the rather harsh competition and becoming a political figure
herself. As time passes, she becomes the leader and spokesperson of all prostitutes in
Kamathipura.
She becomes more assertive and confident, refusing to be a victim and instead taking
control of her life. Gangubai's attitude allows her to survive and navigate the harsh realities of
Impact of Attitude
Gangubai's attitude has a profound impact on her life and the lives of those around
her. Her strong and fearless attitude allows her to rise above her circumstances and become a
powerful figure in her community. She uses her influence to protect and empower the women
in Kamathipura, challenging societal stereotypes and fighting for their rights. Gangubai's
attitude inspires others to question the oppressive systems they are trapped in, leading to
resilience, strength, and hope. Her attitude not only transforms her own life but also has a
ripple effect on the lives of others, empowering them to break free from the constraints of
Attitude Formation
Attitude formation refers to the process through which an individual develops and
acquires attitudes, which are evaluative judgments or opinions about people, objects, or ideas.
In the context of "Gangubai Kathiawadi," the film portrays the journey and experiences of
she is shown as a young girl with dreams and aspirations, hoping for a better life. However,
her life takes a drastic turn when she is forced into the world of prostitution. This traumatic
experience shapes her attitude towards society, men, and the power dynamics within the red-
light district.
One factor that is highlighted is the role of social learning. Gangubai learns from the
other women in the red-light district how to survive and how to be successful. She also learns
from the men who frequent the red-light district how to negotiate and how to protect herself.
Her early experiences of exploitation and injustice create a negative attitude towards
those who oppress and exploit others. However, as she encounters individuals who support
and believe in her, her attitude begins to shift. Positive interactions and relationships with
people who recognize her potential and worth contribute to the formation of a more
The formation of Gangubai's attitude is also influenced by her own self-reflection and
introspection. She begins to question the status quo and challenge the societal norms that
have kept her and others in Kamathipura oppressed. Gangubai's attitude formation is a result
background, interactions with other characters, and the social environment she operates in
could shape her attitudes towards power, justice, loyalty, and survival. The movie could delve
into these factors to portray the formation of her attitudes over time.
Attitude Change
Attitude formation refers to the process through which an individual develops and
acquires attitudes, which are evaluative judgments or opinions about people, objects, or ideas.
In the context of "Gangubai Kathiawadi," the film portrays the journey and experiences of
Throughout the movie, Gangubai undergoes a significant attitude change. Initially, her
attitude is primarily focused on her own survival and protecting herself from harm. However,
as she gains influence and power in her profession, a transformation occurs within her.
Gangubai begins to question the societal norms that perpetuate the exploitation of women in
Kamathipura. She develops a sense of empathy and compassion for those she encounters,
particularly the women who are victims of abuse and marginalization. This attitude change is
driven by her own experiences and interactions with the people in her community.
Gangubai's attitude change is brought about by a number of factors. One factor is her
interactions with other women in the red-light district. These women teach her that she is not
alone and that she has the power to make a difference in her own life. The camaraderie and
solidarity among the women in Kamathipura help forge a shared attitude of resilience and
mutual support. Gangubai's alliances and alliances shape her perspective on trust, loyalty, and
Gangubai's attitude formation. They faced discrimination in society because people have
formed a negative attitude against them. The film depicts the judgment and discrimination
faced by those involved in the red-light district, highlighting the prevailing attitudes of
society. This attitude can be explained through learning theories .This can be supported by a
study conducted by (Digidika and Baka,2017). These attitudes not only shape Gangubai's
own perception of herself but also fuel her determination to challenge societal norms and
However, the journey towards attitude change is not without its challenges. Gangubai
experiences moments of betrayal and external pressures that cast shadows over her positive
transformations. These instances test her trust in others and erode her belief in fairness. As a
result, her attitude becomes more guarded and defensive, reflecting the scars left by these
painful experiences.
remarkable persuasive power. Throughout the film, she demonstrates her ability to influence
others and make compelling arguments. One notable instance is when she persuades Lala, a
powerful figure, to involve her in their business, showcasing her persuasive skills and
determination.
In one scene Gangubai Kathiawadi influence Afsaan’s family to marry the daughter of
a prostitute. In the movie Gangubai persuaded Rahim Lala and changed his attitude towards
herself to get the business of alcohol. Gangubai changed the attitude of other people towards
Furthermore, Gangubai's charismatic nature and leadership qualities are evident in her
interactions with other sex workers. She encourages them to send their children to study,
highlighting the importance of education and a better future. This act of persuasion
demonstrates her ability to inspire and motivate others towards positive change.
individual. Despite societal prejudices, she fearlessly expresses herself and is unapologetic
about her identity. This confidence is showcased through her successful political career, as
she wins elections repeatedly in Kamathipura. Razia Bai's ability to persuade voters in the
district is a testament to the persuasive power that stems from authenticity and self-assurance.
Attribution
Gangubai’s proposal of the marriage of daughter of one of her prostitutes with her
lover, Afsaan Badr Raza left him shocked and devastated. Later on, he associated her
behaviour with her wanting to win the elections through this move as nobody in Kamathipura
got married before Gangubai made it happen. She brough hope in lives of sex workers that
Over time, Afsaan realised that winning the elections was important to gain respect
Cognitive Dissonance
In this movie, cognitive dissonance could be depicted through the internal struggles
Kathiawadi, as she must confront the contradictions between her actions and her core values.
To reduce this dissonance, she may engage in various cognitive strategies. For example, she
might rationalize or justify her actions by convincing herself that she is doing what is
necessary for survival or protecting her loved ones. She may also attempt to find ways to
align her behavior with her beliefs, seeking opportunities to mitigate the conflicts she
experiences. This can be strengthen by the study of Sidhu, A.K., Pednekar, M.S., Fong, G.T,
(2022).
For example, Gangubai herself was fighting for the rights of sex workers where she
wants prostitutes to be seen and accepted as normal citizens but she herself refused to marry
Afsan because she says she was a prostitute. Although her main reason was, she wants to
work for the upliftment of prostitutes. However, this is an instance of cognitive dissonance.
psychological struggle she experiences. She witnesses the suffering of the women working in
the red-light district, which creates a conflict between her empathy and the harsh reality of
her profession. This dissonance between her emotions and the reality she faces adds depth to
The movie presents numerous moral dilemmas that contribute to cognitive dissonance
among the characters. For instance, Gangubai, as the madam of a brothel, is torn between the
exploitation and abuse faced by the women in her community and her own position of power.
She grapples with the dissonance of trying to protect and empower the women while
In the movie it has been shown that the men who are sleeping with these prostitute are
also the one who are degrading and insulting them for the work they do and the pinning point
is they themself are involved in the work also or because of them only the work is going on.
This can be supported by ( F Tomas , L Fanton et al.) Similarly, society is also pinning the
prostitutes only even though the men of their so called society are also involved.
Conclusion
Gangubai’s resilience, intelligence, and determination to rise above her situation. She
becomes the most influential and respected woman in the area, known for her strong
The movie showcases Gangubai's journey as she establishes her own brothel,
overcomes various obstacles, and gains the trust and loyalty of the people around her. She
becomes a protector and mother figure to the sex workers, fighting for their rights and
The movie concludes with Gangubai's legacy enduring long after her passing. She
Mumbai's underworld. Her story continues to inspire generations, reminding them of the
remarkable woman who defied all odds and became a force to be reckoned with in a male-
dominated world. It showcases the triumphs and tribulations of Gangubai Kothewali, leaving
audiences with a powerful message of empowerment and the ability to rise above adversity.
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