Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. This year will mark Bapu's 151st birth anniversary.
Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. This year will mark Bapu's 151st birth anniversary.
While 2nd October, Gandhi Jayanti, is observed as a national holiday across India, people from all walks of life celebrate this day with cultural programmes and remember 'Bapu', as he was popularly addressed, with prayer services and commemorative events in colleges, institutions and various government offices.
A symbol of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi led an inspiring life that was based on great ideals and principles. A true follower of Ahimsa, he taught the world an important lesson with his famous quote, "An eye for an eye, makes the whole world blind."
A great leader, Mahatma Gandhi's life had several chapters that one could take motivation from and derive various life lessons. While several biographies, journals and news reports have been written on his life, a few films too have been made that give a closer look at the iconic personality's life.
So, for those who haven't read a lot about the leader and the person that Gandhi was, here's a list of films that you could watch to get a glimpse of the legendary leader.
1. Mahatma: The Life of Gandhi (1968)
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While several documentaries have been made on the life of the iconic figure Mahatma Gandhi, this 1968 black and white documentary, directed by Vithalbhai Jhaveri, chronicles the life of Gandhi with the help of old photos and animation.
2. Gandhi (1982)
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A British-Indian film, Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough, features Ben Kingsley in the lead role. The film revolves around Gandhi's early life in South Africa and documents details of the era when he took part in India's freedom struggle till his assassination in 1948.
3. The Making of the Mahatma (1996)
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Adapted from the book 'The Apprenticeship of a Mahatma' by author Fatima Meer, this joint Indian-South African produced movie by Shyam Benegal focuses on the 21 years of Mahatma Gandhi's life that he spent in South Africa, where he had the first taste of experiments with truth and later adapted his non-violent movement against racial discrimination.
4. Gandhi My Father (2007)
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Unlike other films, this 2007 biographical drama by Feroz Abbas Khan explores the troubled relationship that Mahatma Gandhi shared with his son Hiralal Gandhi. The film starred Akshaye Khanna as Hiralal Gandhi, while Darshan Jariwala essays the role of Gandhi.
5. Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
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If you are looking at watching something light but still want to acquire some knowledge about Mahatma's life, this is the film to watch. An complete Bollywood entertainer, the blockbuster film focuses on 'Gandhigiri' and revolves around Gandhi guiding Munna Bhai, played by Sanjay Dutt, to a path of peace and non-violence.
In an unusual style, the film talks about Gandhi's principles of non-violence among others things, creating a mass connect with the audiences.
