After initial despair, she refused to be a victim forever. She took the name Gangubai and, over time, became a kamathipura ki malkin (madam)—not just running a brothel, but controlling its politics, protection rackets, and relations with the outside world.

Born as Ganga Harjivandas in Kathiawad, Gujarat, she came from a family of respected lawyers and classical singers. At 16, her life took a tragic turn when her lover, Ramnik Lal, promised to take her to Bollywood—but instead sold her to a brothel in Mumbai’s notorious red-light district, Kamathipura.

The demolition was stalled. Sex workers of Kamathipura gained a measure of dignity and political visibility they had never had before.