On this day of remembrance for Mahatma Gandhi, films emerge as powerful vessels carrying his doctrine of nonviolence and truth into modern times. What began as a fight for India’s freedom has evolved into a universal call for peace, vividly portrayed through Bollywood’s lens.
Directors have ingeniously adapted Gandhi’s ideals, from solemn histories to light-hearted tales, making them accessible and urgent for today’s audience. These stories affirm that satyagraha isn’t outdated—it’s a blueprint for tackling injustice now.
The benchmark remains Attenborough’s ‘Gandhi’ (1982), where Ben Kingsley embodies the leader’s unyielding commitment to nonviolence, chronicling triumphs from discriminatory trains in South Africa to Quit India.
Shifting focus, ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006) by Rajkumar Hirani reintroduces Gandhi via a hilarious gangster’s redemption. With Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, it cleverly shows ‘Gandhigiri’ melting modern cynicism.
‘Feroz Abbas Khan’s ‘Gandhi, My Father’ (2007) humanizes the icon through Harilal’s eyes (Akshay Khanna), revealing the personal sacrifices behind public sainthood.
In ‘Hey Ram’ (2000), Kamal Haasan weaves a tale of revenge amid partition riots, culminating in Gandhi’s plea for unity, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji.
Anupam Kher shines in Jahnu Barua’s ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara’ (2005), a poignant exploration of memory, guilt, and Gandhi’s assassination’s lingering shadows.
Benegal’s ‘The Making of the Mahatma’ (1996) captures early sparks of resistance in South Africa.
Through diverse narratives, these films reignite Gandhi’s flame, challenging us to live his principles amid division.
