Before Gangubai Kathiawadi, watch these films focused on sex workers streaming on Amazon Prime and others

New Delhi: Alia Bhatt-starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi is receiving all hearts from the audience within some days of its release. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film focuses on the prostitution business which is always looked down upon in society. However, this is not the first time directors are focussing on not-so-talked-about topics. There have been several movies made on sex workers that depict the hardships and rejections they receive from society. Nowadays, directors concentrate on real-life human struggles and people are appreciating such genres.

If you haven’t watched Gangubai Kathiawadi yet, take a break and some of the best movies that portray sex workers and their lives are currently available on OTTs.

Take a look:

1. Begum Jaan – Amazon Prime

Directed by Srijit Mukherji, the film depicts the journey of prostitutes who lived in a brothel before the division of India and Pakistan. The character of Begun Jaan who is the owner of the brothel sees it more as her house. However, during the India-Pakistan partition, the brothel was ordered to be demolished owing to the division of land the Radcliffe Line. The brothel was the home to several sex workers and prostitution was their only livelihood. 

2. Kalank – Amazon Prime

The story is from the British era and narrates how blacksmiths and sex workers stood together and won over the British after a vigilant war. Madhuri Dixit played the role of Bahar Begum who lived in elite society but refused to live on someone’s terms. Madhuri’s character runs the brothel and teaches kathak to young girls. The movie also stars Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Dhawan, and Aditya Roy Kapur in pivotal roles.

3. Mandi – Amazon Prime

The movie is based on a classic Urdu short story named Aanandi by Ghulam Abbas. The movie revolves around a brothel where eminent men visit at night. The film is a satirical comedy on politics and prostitution. The movie stars Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, and Naseeruddin Shah in pivotal roles. The movie was directed by Shyam Benegal.

4. Chameli – Disney+Hotstar

Kareena Kapoor-starrer Chameli talks about the life of a sex worker. Kareena played the role of Chameli who is a prostitute. Aman (Rahul Bose) met Chameli under a tense circumstance where they had to spend a night together as the former’s car breaks down and Chameli runs away to hide from a customer who has AIDS.