This Gandhi Jayanti, celebrate the great man and the values he championed with these films…

Gandhi Jayanti, a day to mark the enduring values that the Mahatma championed — truth, non-violence, and the profound power of simplicity. The man on our currency is as ubiquitous on the screen. Some biographical, others fictional — filmmakers love for Gandhi continues to grow.

Here’s a list of films and stories that celebrate the man who taught how ‘In a gentle way, you can shake the world’.

Gandhi

After being unjustly thrown out of a first-class train compartment despite holding a valid ticket, Gandhi is spurred into action, sparking his lifelong commitment to justice. The 1982 Ben Kingsley-starrer masterpiece, directed by Richard Attenborough, engagingly captures his early victories setting up the stage for his iconic role as a leader who would change the course of history.

The Making of the Mahatma

Directed by Shyam Benegal, The Making of Mahatma, which was released in 1996, offers a look at the transformative years of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's life in South Africa. It captures the complex and turbulent journey of a young Gandhi that shaped his philosophy of non-violence. It's a powerful portrayal of how a single man’s resolve and courage ignited a revolution.

Gandhi, My Father

The 2007 Indian biographical drama film by Feroz Abbas Khan gives an intimate look into the complex and strained relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his son Harilal. Far from the typical portrayal of the revered leader, this film dives into the personal struggles and conflicting ideologies that tore a father and son apart.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai

The 2006 Rajkumar Hirani directorial, this Sanjay Dutt - Arshad Warsi satirical comedy revived an interest in Gandhism under a new label - Gandhigiri. Relatable and hip, here Gandhi in a gangster’s imagination led to a blockbuster.

Gandhi Godse – Ek Yudh

The 2023 Rajkumar Santoshi-directorial fictionalises Gandhi being saved despite Godse’s bullet. How the two serving time together in prison engage in multiple debates and arguments and get to understand each other is the core of this Deepak Antani-Chinmay Mandlekar film.

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara

Another fictional drama follows a retired professor Uttam Chaudhary’s (played by Anupam Kher), who believes he killed Gandhi accidentally while playing with a toy gun that had real bullets. The film won laurels for Kher and Urmila Matondkar, who played Prof Chaudhary’s daughter

Upcoming show

Hansal Mehta is helming a three-season web series on Gandhi with actor Pratik Gandhi playing the titular role.

Book mark

If movies not style, you can tap into audio books - Gandhi’s Story, Mahatma Gandhi: The Father of the Nation and Hind Swaraj are some of the titles available on Audible. — TNS