Seema Pahwa recalls how her ‘Gangubai’ co-star Alia Bhatt came to the rescue of a child artist

Veteran actress Seema Pahwa recently opened up about a memorable experience with her ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ co-star Alia Bhatt. Seema Pahwa, who played the role of Sheela, the madame in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali shared an interesting anecdote where Alia Bhatt came to the rescue of a child artist on set.

In an interview with Hindi Rush, Seema Pahwa shared how Alia Bhatt stepped in to assist a struggling child artist during a challenging late-night shoot, a gesture that left a lasting impression on her.

Seema recalled how Alia came to the rescue of a child artist during a challenging scene when director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was getting frustrated. The actress also confessed that she had preconceived notions about Alia Bhatt, given her status as a relatively new actress from a prominent film family. However, her views began to shift when she observed Alia’s respectful demeanor on set.

Seema Pahwa recalled that during a late-night scene, a young girl on the set kept falling asleep and missing her line, which upset Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

It was at this point that Alia Bhatt took action. Pahwa recounted how Alia, noticing the child's struggle, discreetly offered a solution. Alia Bhatt suggested to the child artist that she would gently pull her arm as a signal to deliver her line, ensuring she wouldn't miss her cue again. Seema Pahwa expressed that she was thoroughly impressed with Alia’s actions and called it a ‘selfless gesture’.


‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ released in 2022, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is based on a chapter from the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi and delves into Gangubai's journey from a victim of exploitation to a revered matriarch who fights for the rights of sex workers and their children.