“Mahatma Gandhi could transform the soul of a nation but could not save the soul of his own son.” – so ends the description on the DVD cover of “Gandhi my father”. This is the story of the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son Harilal, who wandered the streets of India destitute and conflicted, until he eventually succumbed to the devastating effects of alcoholism.
Nelson Mandela is said to have wept as he watched this film in South Africa. This film will move you too. Akshaye Khanna has given the performance of his life as Harilal. Here is what a few critics had to say:
- “Groundbreaking…Bold…Original…Beautiful Achievement” – Nadine Gordimer, Nobel Laureate in Literature,
- “Poignant…Emotionally charged, compelling film…” – Newsweek
- “History that shocks you, cinema that seduces you.” – The Telegraph
- “Stunning…Heartrending…Sheer Poetry” – The Hindu
- “A worthy companion to Attenborough’s Oscar Epic…” – The Times, London
“I grew up understanding Gandhi through others; till I discovered a deep wound he carried in his heart….Somewhere in the shadows of this great man lived his son, roaming the streets of India like a beggar.” writes Feroz Abbas Khan, the Writer and Director of the film. He goes on to say “To me, Gandhi became a greater human being as he struggled personally, socially and politically, but always put his principles and quest for human dignity above everything else.”
The North American rights to “Gandhi my father” were acquired by Lionsgate in its deal with Eros (see previous story). This means you should soon get an opportunity to view this film in a theater near you. But why wait? Get the DVD and watch it now.
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