MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Darshan Jariwala, Bhumika Chawla, Shefali Shah
Director: Feroz Abbas Khan
Producer: Anil Kapoor
Music: Piyush Kanojia
Cinematography: David McDonald
Editor: Sreekar Prasad
Screenplay: Feroz Abbas Khan
EXCLUSIVE MOVIE REVIEW BY HANUMANT BHANSALI
Feroz Abbas Khan, a leading theatre director makes his Bollywood debut with Gandhi – My Father. The film stars Akshaye Khanna portraying the character of Harilal Gandhi, eldest son of Mohanlal Karamchand Gandhi.The film presents a spellbinding account of the tragic relationship between Bapu, and his rebellious eldest son Harilal.
Based on the biography ‘Harilal: A Life,’ by the Gujarati scholar Chandulal Dalal, sheds light on the human side of the Mahatma, whose non-violent resistance to British rule helped win India its independence in 1947,’ notes the American magazine in its August 6 issue.
The plot revolves around Harilal Gandhi as he lives a life full of compromises. The shadow of being the son of a legend hounds him and he leads his life like a beggar in the streets of India.
The character of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is played by Darshan Jariwala. He sows the seeds of differences between his son Harilal and himself. Their father-son relationship turns sour when he denies Harilal the prospect of studying law in Britain. Harilal comes back to his motherland from South Africa and decides to make it big on his own.
In an act of rebel, he gets converted to Muslim, and later reverts back to his own religion as an act of self punishment and realization. He finally breathes his last breathe in a hospital in Bombay, all alone.
The main objective of the story is to make people understand the tragedy of a great man like Gandhi who transformed the nation with his thoughts and principles but could not save his son from venturing into the darkness of miseries.
The film also unfurls a personal tragedy against the racial hatred in South Africa and colonial humiliation in India. Gandhi remains as a person who counts his principles more than anything other object in the world.
It is a long time since I have seen an intense motion picture on the celluloid. Gandhi My Father fulfills my quest in this case. Director Feroz presents a unique storyline related to Gandhi’s eldest son Harilal, a lost identity in the history of politics.
The film strongly presents the diverse opinions of Gandhiji and his son, without being biased to one’s outlook. It is heartbreaking to see the condition of Harilal Gandhi, a lost soul wandering under the arclights of Mahatma Gandhi.
The screenplay loses its grip on the storyline when the film loses the sight of Harilal’s siblings. This leads the film into a narrow lane focusing on the cynical nature of Harilal. One needs to be patient enough not to crib during this timeline as the film bores the viewers.
Nevertheless, Feroz frames the portions of the film in the most refined, yet simplistic manner. The narration, the storyline all mark the arrival of a mastermind director.
David Macdonald’s cinematography is amazing. The playful work with the significant scenes leaves a deep impression in the sights. The background score is good and goes along well with the film.
Actingwise, Akshaye Khanna has breathed the character of Harilal. He is more than convincing, to say the least. Darshan Jariwala, as Mahatma Gandhi shows the versatile characters he can play. He was last seen in a negative role in Aap Kaa Surroor.
Shefali Shah is wonderful. Her expressions speak instead of words. Bhumika Chawla is natural and lives upto the ranks of her character.
Gandhi My Father, sets the benchmark of high quality cinema in the times of gallores of movies being released week after week. Absorb the finest performances of the 21st century.
Radiosargam Movie Rating: 7.5/10
Hanumant Bhansali
Part 1
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