India Broadband Forum

kundanbhakuni

Title Name: Gandhi, My Father

Release Date: August 3, 2007

Directed by: Feroz Abbas Khan

Introduction: The film explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi (portrayed by Akshaye Khanna) and his father, Mahatma Gandhi (portrayed by Darshan Jariwala).

(Ref: Wikepedia)

Personal Observation: Though I have always believed Akshay Khanna is a useless actor, in this movie he has made me bite my own shoe. Not only him the whole crew under super direction and realistic acting made this one of the most memorable movie for me to ever watch. I was not in India when this movie released so I was not aware of its release. I still believe Bollywood is very immature compared to thought process foregin movies possess, however this movie was like right up there bringing new dimension to Indian cinema and showing how though not in numbers but like our one gold medal we can spring some surprises to the wrold in the movie scence (Tare Zameen Par being other example).

This movie when I researced into Wikepedia and google I realised that no posters were used for this movie's promotion. the decision apparently was taken by Anil Kapoor (producer) who thought that passers by might disrespect the posters by spitting or urinating at them.

Background of the Film: It is based upon the biography Harilal Gandhi:A Life by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal. Movie was shot in South Africa, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

This movie showed how Hiralal Gandhi (Akshay Khanna), troubled son of Mahatama Gandhi (Darshan Jariwala) threw himself in life of pain and agony. How he got into a life of alchocol and prostitutes after being thrown away from job because of cheating. He tried to use Gandhi name for his benifit whenever he could to bail himself out and even agreed to become a muslim when he was offered money and food in return by Islamic extremists. Though Mahatama was cool about it, however Hira's mother Kasturbha Gandhi (Shefali Shah) objected to it and later Hirlal who became Abdullah, returned to his first faith Hinduasim.

He appeared at his father's funeral in such derelict condition that few recognized him. He died from liver disease on June 18, 1948 in a municipal hospital in Bombay.

Truly a great movie and must watch... sense of pride for what an Indian movie can achieve with head hung with shame from someone of Gandhi's family.


Regards,

Kundan Bhakuni
Bharti Learning Systems