GANDHI, the name says it all. The one man army who fought against all the odds to unite his nation and make them free from the British rule. He inspired an entire generation to fight for independence through non-violent means. Mahatma Gandhi will always be known as the chief architect and hero of India’s freedom struggle. Movie makers have been fascinated with understanding and demystifying this loin-cloth-clad hero. Let us have a glanced look at the movies that explored the great icon’s life. These are movies that still keep the legacy of Bapu, as we fondly call him, alive.
1. Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
Lage Raho Munna Bhai brought back Gandhian philosophies into mainstream Indian society by rebranding it as ‘Gandhigiri’. Rajkumar Hirani pulled off a coup when he portrayed the Mahatma as an illusion in his sequel to Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
The music was considered as the best part of the movie which is composed by Anu Malik and Sanjay Wandrekar with the former composing the songs and the latter, the score. Lyrics for the songs are penned by Abbas Tyrewala and Rahat Indori. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 1,000,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's fifteenth highest-selling.
Sanjay Dutt stole the show as Munna Bhai, the affable gangster who hallucinates about Bapu. Bapu’s entertaining yet poignant portrayal by Dilip Prabhavalkar struck a chord with the masses, and the film was a colossal hit. It went on to win the 2004 National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and several Filmfare awards, including the Critics Award for Best Movie and Best Screenplay. At the box office, it achieved a silver jubilee status (25-week run) being one of only eight films to have achieved this status since the year 2000.
2. Hey Ram (2000)
The film was written, directed and produced by Kamal Haasan, who also acted as the protagonist in the film. The film's soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The semi-fictional plot centers on India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse.
A victim of partition sets out to take revenge by assassinating Mahatma Gandhi. After some interesting turn of events, he begins to appreciate the Mahatma and his principles. He decides to confess to the Mahatma about his plot to kill him, but it is too late. A politico-fiction drama, it effectively portrayed the polarising views that Mahatma Gandhi drew from people. With leading lights of Indian cinema including Kamal Haasan, Shahrukh Khan, and Naseeruddin Shah, the movie boasted of impeccable performances. The film was hailed by many as being way ahead of its time.
Screened at the International Film Festival of India, and was selected by Film Federation of India as its submission to the Oscars in the year 2000, the film has garnered three National Film Awards. The copyrights to this film are owned by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment.
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3. The Making of the Mahatma (1996)
How did Gandhi become a ‘Mahatma’? What inspired him to launch non-violent movements to overthrow oppressive regimes? Answers to these questions can be found in his formative years as a practising barrister in South Africa.
A 1996 joint Indian - South African produced film, directed by Shyam Benegal, about the early life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (also known as Mahatma Gandhi, Great Soul) during his 21 years in South Africa. The film is based upon the book, The Apprenticeship of a Mahatma, by Fatima Meer
Rajit Kapur, of Byomkesh Bakshi fame, gave a flawless performance as the young Gandhi. He was justly rewarded with a National Film Award for Best Actor. Watch the movie to know more about the Mahatma’s life before he became the face of India’s freedom movement.
4. Sardar (1993)
This movie is a biopic of free India’s first home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It recounts his pivotal role in the freedom struggle and the formation of free India’s first government. The movie also explores Sardar Patel’s chequered relationship with Mahatma Gandhi. At various times during the history of the freedom struggle, they had conflicting ideologies. It is an excellent take on Mahatma Gandhi’s principles from the perspective of someone who was both an admirer and a critic. Paresh Rawal was outstanding as Sardar Patel and was ably complemented by Annu Kapoor as Mahatma Gandhi.
5. Gandhi (1982)
The film from the Richard Attenborough’s eternal classic that instils the feeling of pride and honour in every Indian. Gandhi was a biopic which depicted his association with the independence movement. The Mahatma was brought to life by Ben Kingsley. The movie went on to win a total of eight Oscars including Best Actor for Kingsley. It is a masterpiece that has been lauded by audience and critics alike. Rarely has a movie captured the personality of a historical figure with such brilliance
6. Gandhi, My Father (2007)
Last but not the least, Gandhi, My Father was one of the best movies that explored Mahatma Gandhi’s strained relationship with his eldest son Harilal Gandhi. It depicted Harilal’s disillusionment with his father, who ironically was ‘The Father of the Nation’.
Released on 3 August 2007, starring Akshay Khanna, Bhumika Chawla, Darshan Jariwala and Shefali Shah, the film was awarded with many National Awards. It was a brilliant depiction of a son unable to come to terms with living under a famous father’s enormous shadow and paints the picture of Gandhi's intricate, complex and strained relationship with his son Harilal Gandhi. From the onset, the two had dreams in opposite directions. Harilal's ambition was to study abroad and become a barrister like his father, while Gandhi hoped that his son would join him and fight for his ideals and causes in India. It showed a different and little-known side of the Mahatma. The movie was critically acclaimed and won many awards and got a great recognition in Bollywood.
So, These were some of the best movies based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, The Father of Nation that takes us closer to him. Every Indian must watch them to know out our National leaders and their lives.
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