click for larger view

Before reading the review, one needs to know few facts. Do you know that Mahatma Gandhi's son Hira Lal was so angry with his father that he embraced Islam? Have you ever tried to figure out what happened to the family of Gandhi when he was busy fighting for the nation? What would happen if one tries to put his or her legacy on his child forcefully? Or, do you know that despite being Bapu's son Hira Lal was a drunkard, a cheater and a brothel visitor, too? The answer to all these questions is one: Gandhi- My Father.

Actors have turned producers many times in the past. Be it Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan. But none of them has ever dared as far as Anil Kapoor has done in his first independent film (producer of 'Gandhi- My Father'). Aamir may have tried to set the trend in 'Lagaan', but he took calculated risk by bringing in all the commercial aspects of the film. Anil Kapoor's case is different. Once touted as the next super star after Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor's stature has now grown big enough to come out of that shadow with this film.

click for larger view

But Anil Kapoor does make his father and also producer of his first film 'Woh Saat Din', Surinder Kapoor, feel proud of his son. Thus, Anil has moved ahead of his big brother Boney Kapoor and also his several contemporaries. 'Gandhi My Father' presents Gandhi in a totally different perspective from other movies on Gandhi. The whole punch of the film lies in the line that the British officer says at the farewell function held in respect of Barrister Gandhi (Darshan Jariwala) in South Africa.

click for larger view

The officer says, "Gandhi is not a politician who is trying to become saint but he is a saint who is trying to become a politician. May God save British officers in India." And, Gandhi was a true politician. He leaves his son Hari Lal (Akshaye Khanna) in India so that he gets ready to take over his heritage by learning his mother tongue. Gandhi disowns his son when the latter gets married against his will though the girl Gulab (Bhumika Chawla) was engaged to him by Gandhi himself. Gandhi is a man of principles but the film also shows him trying to make another Gandhi out of his son. The legacy is still alive in today's Indian national Congress. It is not that Jawahar Lal Nehru was the most patriotic to become the first prime minister of India .

click for larger view

The film leaves a question as to what would have happened if Hari Lal had adhered to his father's advice. The history of the nation would have been quite different had Gandhi succeeded in his plan to make his son a politician. Of course, the Gandhi name still ran in his blood. Hari Lal didn't fail himself, but he failed Gandhi. He failed Gandhi for the second time as Jinnah from Kathiawad was Gandhi's first failure. Despite convincing the whole nation to boycott British made goods, Gandhi's son traded in foreign clothes. He also issued shares in Gandhi's name and made millions only to land in prison. He turned Muslim to pay back his loan and then returned to Hinduism when he thought it was the right time to reap the benefits of Gandhi's fame. Hari Lal keeps changing his ideology throughout his life and dies just after six months of Gandhi's killing in New Delhi. He died like an unknown person.

click for larger view

Hira Lal was unknown to most of the admirers of Munna Bhai till today but not any more. Anil Kapoor brings out a chapter of Indian history that was almost confined to some books or to historians, at the most . That cinema is a tool to reach masses is once again proved by Anil Kapoor's 'Gandhi - My Father' . However, the credit goes to each one associated with this film. A dream come true for Feroz Abbas Khan, recognized so far for exploring new forms and bringing Hindi theatre into mainstream. Not many who watch Bollywood films regularly know that Feroz' plays have been staged all over the world. But he is going to be a new identity of Indian Cinema now. Oscars need to note it.

click for larger view

The film rests mainly on the shoulders of Akshaye Khanna and Darshan Jariwala. Akshaye is a revelation in this film. Haven't the viewers seen him doing an awkward role in 'Naqaab'? However, in ' Gandhi-My Father' he plays Hira Lal almost like the character himself. Once Aamir dreamt of doing this role. Now, we feel the difference. Aamir couldn't have succeeded as much as Akshaye has . Akshaye's performance runs parallel to those of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. Darshan Jariwala brings in a pleasant surprise in Gandhi's role , too. He doesn't play Mahatma; he plays Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi, just a failed father (for his son). Shefali Shah as Kasturba and Bhumika Chawla as Gulab get ample chance to show their hidden talents and both do very well . Firoz is very well supported by his technical crew - both Indian as well as overseas. A must watch film for this weekend! Films like this are made once in a decade. Isn't it ? A seven star material!!