October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, is an occasion to remember Mahatma Gandhi and the ideas associated with his public life non-violence, truth, civil resistance and social harmony. Hindi cinema has approached Gandhi from very different angles: as a historical figure, a moral influence, and even through stories about the people around him.
Gandhi (1982) — The sweeping historical portrait
Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi remains one of the best-known cinematic portrayals of Mahatma Gandhi. Ben Kingsley plays Gandhi, with the film following his journey from South Africa through India’s freedom struggle and the events surrounding Independence.
The film received 11 Academy Award nominations and won eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) — Gandhi meets the modern world
What happens when a Mumbai gangster starts seeing Gandhi?
Rajkumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munna Bhai takes that playful premise and turns it into a contemporary exploration of Gandhian principles. Sanjay Dutt plays Munna Bhai, while Dilip Prabhavalkar portrays Gandhi.
The film popularised the expression “Gandhigiri”, presenting ideas such as non-violence, honesty and peaceful resistance through a mainstream comedy-drama.
Gandhi, My Father (2007) — The man behind the Mahatma
Feroz Abbas Khan’s Gandhi, My Father shifts the focus from the national leader to Harilal Gandhi, Gandhi’s eldest son.
The film, starring Darshan Jariwala as Gandhi and Akshaye Khanna as Harilal, examines the complicated relationship between father and son and the personal consequences of living in the shadow of such a towering public figure.
Sardar (1993) — Gandhi through Patel’s story
Ketan Mehta’s Sardar is primarily a biographical film about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, played by Paresh Rawal. Gandhi nevertheless occupies an important place in the story of Patel and India’s independence movement.
The film features Annu Kapoor as Gandhi and explores the political relationship between major figures of the freedom struggle. Amar Ujala.
Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) — Gandhi’s memory and its impact
Jahnu Barua’s Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara takes a much more intimate and psychological approach.
Anupam Kher plays Professor Uttam Chaudhary, whose deteriorating memory causes him to become consumed by a childhood incident connected in his mind with Gandhi’s assassination.
Urmila Matondkar plays his daughter, who tries to understand and help him. The film was released in September 2005 and was distributed worldwide by Yash Raj Films.
Gandhi is not simply a character in the story; his memory becomes a way of examining guilt, family relationships, memory and the continuing place of his ideals in society.
Post Views: 6
Other Popular Stories
