Gandhi Jayanti 2021: Recapping many shades of Bapu on the silver screen

Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation was a man of peace and non-violence. An epitome of humanity, Bapu's wisdom has inspired people all over the world. We take a look at some movies and documentaries based on his life that have kept the Mahatma's spirit alive.

Gandhi |1982

Winner of 8 Oscars and among the most celebrated films of all times, 'Gandhi' was the dream project of British filmmaker Richard Attenborough.

Actor Ben Kingsley played the role of Mahatma Gandhi, which left a long-lasting impact on everyone’s mind.

The film represents different facets of Gandhi’s life and times during freedom struggle, till his assassination in 1948.

Hey Ram | 2000

2000 film 'Hey Ram' is another film on Gandhi which now has cult status.

The film's title was derived from the Mahatma's last words. The film throws light on a completely different facet of Gandhi's life and focuses on the revenge of a partition victim Nathuram Godse, who killed Gandhi.

The film revolves around fictional character Saketh Ram, a Hindu archaeologist played by the film's director Kamal Haasan himself, who turns into a Hindu extremist soon after his wife was raped and murdered by a Muslim group. He blames everything on Gandhi's decision to partition India, thus conspiring to kill him.

Naseeruddin Shah as ‘Gandhi’ is a visual treat for audiences in 'Hey Ram'. The film also stars Shah Rukh Khan & Rani Mukerji in pivotal roles.

'Hey Ram' wasn't commercially successful but was nominated as India’s official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category in 2000.

Gandhi My Father |2007

National Award-winning film 'Gandhi My Father' highlighted the troubled relationship of Mahatma Gandhi and his son Hiralal Gandhi.

Hiralal believed that despite being the ‘Father of the Nation’, Gandhi failed to be a good father to him.

While Akshaye Khanna portrayed the character of Hiralal, Darshan Jariwala plays Gandhi’s character.

How a gap was created between being a father to his beautiful sons and father of a nation, was perfectly portrayed in this film.

Lage Raho Munna Bhai |2006

2006 film 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' , directed by Rajkumar Hirani is probably one of the most popular mainstream Bollywood film made on Mahatma Gandhi.

Instead of focusing on the story Mahatma's life, the film delves into the ideals that the Mahatma believed in. This was one film that made Gandhi’s philosophy and ideas palatable to young Indians.

This film gave a quirky 'tapori' spin to Gandhism and called it 'Gandhigiri', and it became an instant buzzword.

Sanjay Dutt aka Munna Bhai plays a gangster, who after series of events ends up hallucinating Mahatma Gandhi.

The film is quite funny, yet moving and filled with the Mahtama's essence.

A must watch if you still haven't.

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara |2005

In psychological drama, 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara', veteran actor Anupam Kher essays the character of a retired Hindi professor, Uttam Chaudhary, who suffers from dementia. Anupam Kher's character starts blaming himself for being the man accidentally responsible for Gandhi's assassination.

Directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua, the film carries the audiences to an unchartered territory, where they have never truly ventured before - the human brain.

Anupam Kher won a National Award for this film.