Gandhi, My Father

Gandhi, My Father

Movie poster for Gandhi, My Father
Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan
Produced by Anil Kapoor
Written by Feroz Abbas Khan
Chandulal Dalal (book)
Neelamben Parikh (book)
Starring Darshan Jariwala
Akshaye Khanna
Bhumika Chawla
Shefali Shah
Music by Piyush Kanojia
Cinematography David McDonald
Edited by A. Sreekar Prasad
Release dates
3 August 2007
Running time
136 min.
Language Hindi, Gujarati, English


Gandhi, My Father is a 2007 Indian biographical drama film by Feroz Abbas Khan (not to be confused with actor Feroz Khan[1]). It was produced by Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, and released on 3 August 2007.

The film explores the troubled relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his son Harilal Gandhi.

Background

The movie is based upon the biography of Harilal Gandhi, titled Harilal Gandhi: A Life[2] by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal.[3] Khan's play, Mahatma vs. Gandhi,[4] while different from this film, had a similar theme.[5] The movie was shot in South Africa and in several Indian cities including Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

Plot

Gandhi My Father paints the picture of Gandhi's intricate, complex and strained relationship with son Harilal Gandhi. From the onset, the two had dreams in opposite directions. Harilal wanted 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.

When Gandhi does not give Harilal the opportunity to study abroad, it comes as a blow to Hari. He decides to abandon his father’s vision and leaves South Africa for India where he joins his wife Gulab (Bhoomika Chawla) and kids. He goes back to school to earn his diploma but fails three times in a row and ends in financial stress. Each of his schemes to make money falls through. Sick of his failure, Gulab returns to her parent’s house with the kids, where she eventually dies, and Hari stumbles and eventually falls. He turns to alcohol for solace and converts to Islam, only to re-convert to a different sect of Hinduism. With political tension heating up, the rift between Gandhi and his eldest son grows until it is beyond repair. This is the story of a man who lived in the enormous shadow of his father, striving to discover his identity and who died in poverty.

Actors

Awards

2008 National Film Awards

2008 Zee Cine Awards

2008 IIFA Awards

2007 Asia Pacific Screen Awards

See also

Notes

  1. "Who is the director of 'Gandhi My Father'?". Bollyvista.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  2. "Harilal Gandhi : A Life/Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal. Edited and translated from the Gujarat by Tridip Suhrud". Vedamsbooks.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  3. Rajeev Tharoor-rajeevt@pigtailpundits.com pigtailpundits@pigtailpundits.com. "A Distinguished Indian Theatre Director of highly acclaimed plays". Feroz Khan. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  4. "The Mahatma and his son". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 22 July 2007.
  5. "Gandhi My Father Cast & Director - Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  6. "55th NATIONAL FILM AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2007". Press Information Bureau (Govt. of India).

External links