7 Movies Based On Life and Principles of Mahatma Gandhi

7 Movies Based On Life and Principles of Mahatma Gandhi
Movies Based On Life and Principles of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, the “Father of the Nation” was a great son of the Indian soil. His struggles helped us to break the shackles of British rule and become an independent nation. He continues to live in our hearts. His life has always been an inspiration and various parts of his life have been immortalized by veteran filmmakers. On the occasion of Gandhiji’s 152nd birth anniversary, we bring to you the list of movies based on his Life and Principles.

Mahatma: Life of Gandhi, 1869-1948 (1968)

This is not exactly a movie but a documentary on the life of Gandhi. It illustrates his unending search for truth. The story is narrated using mostly Gandhi’s own words beautifully and is shot in black and white.

Gandhi (1982)

Starring Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi, the film is based on the memoirs of Gandhiji. The film represents different phases of Gandhi’s life including his struggles through all the major movements against Britishers, his occasional imprisonment, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and the Partition of India. Directed by Richard Attenborough, this is probably the best movie ever made on Gandhi.

Sardar (1993)

The film primarily revolves around the life of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. But it also shows how Patel and Gandhiji together strive to gain independence. Annu Kapoor essays the role of Mahatma Gandhi and Paresh Rawal portrayed the role of Sardar Patel in this Ketan Mehta film.

The Making of the Mahatma (1996)

Directed by Shyam Benegal, the film explores the 21 years spent by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. Rajit Kapur flawlessly portrayed the role as a young Gandhi and also won many awards for the role. The movie is based upon the book, The Apprenticeship of a Mahatma, by Fatima Meer.

Hey Ram (2000)

This film focuses on India’s partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by the Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse. Gandhi is portrayed by Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. The writer, director and producer of the film, Kamal Haasan plays the role of Saket Ram, a Hindu fundamentalist who portrays the role of a would-be assassin of Gandhi but later on changes his mind and attempts to beg for forgiveness.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

This sequel to Munna Bhai MBBS was the first film that showed Gandhi in a contemporary setting and was not a take on his freedom fight. The film very smartly used Gandhiji’s teachings and adapted them to the modern-day world thereby introducing the concept of Gandhigiri. The seasoned actor Dilip Prabhavalkar portrayed the image of Gandhiji with élan.

Gandhi, My Father (2007)

Produced by Anil Kapoor, this flick focuses on the troubled relationship between Mahatma Gandhi, played by Darshan Jariwala and his son Harilal Gandhi, Akshaye Khanna. The film illustrates the growing rift between the father-son duo that is beyond repair. The ideological differences lead to clashes between the two.

Which of these is the best portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in your opinion?

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