It is yet another in the several movies that have been made on the Mahatma's life but the Road to Sangam, slated for release in October this year holds the promise of generating interest and maybe some controversy.
    
"The Road to Sangam," received standing ovations at the Cannes Film Festival and the just concluded Ahmedabad Film Festival for its moving depiction about an ordinary Muslim mechanic's internal tussle between truth and adherence to diktats of his community's leaders.

Set in Allahabad, the film features versatile actor Paresh Rawal and the seasoned Om Puri.
    
The debut directorial venture of Amit Rai also has Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Tushar Gandhi, playing himself. It is set to be screened in theatres on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti.
    
"A few years ago there was a small news snippet on TV about a Muslim mechanic rebuilding the engine of the car that carried Gandhiji's ashes to the Sangam caught my attention.

"There was also another news item about an urn containing Gandhiji's ashes being found in a bank vault in Orissa. These two stories caught my attention and something started growing inside me," says Rai who linked the two to make a film.

The director, who began his career in experimental Marathi theatre, says he began writing the film's script two years ago but delayed beginning shooting because he couldn't find any producers willing to shoot on location in Allahabad.

"I was insistent that the entire film be shot on location and not on recreated sets. That is why I waited until I got a producer who was willing to work on location," says Rai.

The screening of the over 6-crore film for prospective buyers at the international Cannes film market was met with standing ovation. "We got a mindblowing response and they even requested us to do a second screening," the director said.

"After Rajkumar Hirani released his Lage Raho Munnabhai I was very scared even though my script was ready much before. I was afraid that I would have to spike it because even my film dealt with the same subject."
    
With lyrics by late Narsinh Mehta, Allama Iqbal and John Henry Newman and the Guru Granth Sahib the film strives to steer clear of controversy and aims to be low on emotions letting the message talk for itself.

Producer Amit Cheeda who says he was able to visualize the story on screen from Day One adds that the film would be promoted in an intelligent way.

"It is not a regular commercial film. We need to think a little differently," says Cheeda, who reveals that he has received international interest in the film but is looking for the right partner.