Gandhi Jayanti : Bollywood films made on Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, often referred to as Mahatma Gandhi and also called the 'Father of the nation,' is synonymous with the Indian freedom struggle. He is renowned all over the world for his non-conventional methods of fighting injustice. His wax statue at the Madam Tussauds is a clear testimony to his popularity. Gandhi has been an important part of Hindi films as well. Any film on the Indian independence struggle is incomplete without his mention. Today, on his birthday, we list down best on-screen portrayals of Gandhi.

Ben Kingsley in Gandhi: The list has to start with Richard Attenborough’s film Gandhi (1982) which is considered to be the best biographical take on Mahatma Gandhi. Ironically it took a foreign filmmaker (Richard Attenborough) and a foreign actor Ben Kingsley to come up with the best film on Indian independence and the Indian freedom fighter. The international project was shot in India in English language and stars several Indian actors like Amrish Puri, Om Puri and Saeed Jaffrey. Rohini Hattangadi plays Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma’s wife. Ben Kingsley went on to win an Oscar for the film and his performance in Gandhi is considered to be the best till date.

Annu Kapoor in Sardar: Annu Kapoor became a famous figure on Indian television through the musical game show Antakshari and has now returned to the small screen with a different version of the game show and also hosts a musical show on radio. However, before his television stint, Annu Kapoor was a part of several Hindi films. He plays the role of Gandhi in Ketan Mehta’s biopic on Vallabhbhai Patel titled Sardar. Paresh Rawal plays the title role of the Iron Man while Benjamin Gilani plays Nehru in the film.

Rajit Kapoor in Making of the Mahatma: Shyam Benegal’s favourite actor Rajit Kapoor plays Gandhi in Benegal’s bilingual biography titled The Making of the Mahatma in English and Gandhi Se Mahatma Tak in Hindi. The films were released way back in 1996. The Making of the Mahatma has a different outlook on Gandhi as it shows the progression of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi from a barrister in South Africa to becoming the Mahatma. Rajit Kapoor came up with a splendid performance as Gandhi.

Mohan Gokhale in Babasaheb Ambedkar: As the 21st century dawned upon, filmmakers became more open to historical biographies and went on to show more than what was documented in the history textbooks. Jabber Patel’s biography on Babasaheb Ambedkar is one of the first films to depict Gandhi in a negative light. The audience was understandably taken aback at this shocking portrayal. Mohan Gokhale plays Gandhi’s character in the film and the director shows how Gandhi used his non-cooperation policy and fasting strategies to emotionally blackmail and get things done as per his demands. South actor Mamoothy plays Ambedkar in the film and had won a National Award for his performance.

Naseeruddin Shah in Hey Ram: After Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mohan Gokhale was again signed to play Gandhi in Kamal Hassan’s Hey Ram. Unfortunately, Mohan Gokhale passed away while shooting the film and Kamal Hassan had to opt for another actor to play the role. Naseeruddin Shah stepped in at this point and essayed the role with elan. He imbibed Gandhi’s Gujarati accent and body language, transforming himself completely in the process. 'Hey Ram' were the last words uttered by Gandhi before he was assassinated. The film revolves around Gandhi’s influence on a common man played by Kamal Hassan. The film shows Gandhi in a negative light till the climax where things turn in his favour and his image is resurrected.

Surendra Rajan in Veer Savarkar, Legend of Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: Films where Gandhi wasn't the central character or didn't have a full-fledged appearance, artist Surendra Rajan came handy. He plays Gandhi in Veer Savarkar, Legend of Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Interestingly, all the films show Gandhi in a negative light with his philosophies contradicting the protagonist's thoughts.

Dilip Prabhavalkar in Lagey Raho Munnabhai: One of the most popular and entertaining depictions of Gandhi in recent times is Marathi actor Dilip Prabhavalkar's in Lagey Raho Munnabhai. This was the first film to focus on Gandhian principles instead of Gandhi, the person. It also breaks the stereotypical textual references to Gandhi and makes him more real. Having introduced the concept of Gandhigiri, the film manages to make Gandhi appear more human in comparison to other films that either lift him to a pedestal or condemn his ways.

Darshan Zariwala in Gandhi My Father: Darshan Zariwala plays Bapu in Anil Kapoor's Gandhi My Father. The film has an unique take on Gandhi as it focusses on his personal life rather than his political one and shows how despite being the ‘Father of nation’, he couldn’t be a good father to his son Harilal Gandhi. The film deals with the complex father-son relationship and presents a different facet of the freedom fighter's life, one to which not many were privy to. Gandhi My Father, however, didn't set the cash registers ringing and Darshan's Gandhi received a mixed response.

Besides the obvious ones, several other films had references of the political figure. Some such films that are worth a watch are Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara and Gandhi To Hitler. Anupam Kher plays a character who is believed to have accidentally killed Gandhi in Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara. Earlier titled, Dear Friend Hitler, Gandhi To Hitler is a drama that depicts the impact that letters written by Gandhi to Hitler had. Avijit Dutt plays Mahatma Gandhi in the film.