Mahatma Gandhi’s 154th Birth Anniversary: Actors Who Played Him On The Big Screen
New Delhi: The nation is celebrating the 154th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi today. The Indian film industry has made several films based on the life of the great freedom fighter. These films have left a mark on the audience and also helped in familiarising the younger generation with the Mahatma’s ideals and what he stood for, beyond textbooks.
Here are some talented actors, who have apprised the role of Mahatma Gandhi with great aplomb.
Naseeruddin Shah
Actor Naseeruddin Shah took up the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the 2000 film Hey Ram. The Indian historical-political drama, based on the partition of India and assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse came at the start of a new century bringing to the world a new take on the chapter of history that is still relevant. The movie was directed, written and produced by Kamal Haasan, who also played Saket Ram, the Hindu extremist who plans to assassinate Gandhi post-partition but eventually lives a long life based on Gandhian philosophy.
J S Casshyap
J S Casshyap played Mahatma Gandhi in a 1963 British film called Nine Hours To Rama. It focuses on the nine hours of Nathuram Godse’s life leading up to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It was adapted from a book by the same name. The film was directed by Mark Robson
Avijit Dutt
Avijit Dutt essayed the role of Mahatma Gandhi in the 2011 film Gandhi To Hitler, based on World War II when Adolf Hitler assisted India in its freedom struggle against the British, while Mahatma Gandhi wrote to him to end violence. The movie was directed by Rakesh Ranjan, Raghuvir Yadav played Adolf Hitler. The film also featured Neha Dhupia.
Mohan Gokhale
Mohan Gokhale took the role of Gandhi in the 2000 film, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. It tells the story of BR Ambedkar who is best known for his work for the benefit of oppressed classes in India. In the film, Gandhi and Ambedkar were shown clashing on their respective ideologies and how that translated into what we have today in terms of policies and principles. The film was directed by Jabbar Patel. Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty played Ambedkar.
Darshan Jariwala
Darshan Jariwala played Gandhi in the 2007 Fersz Abbas Khan directorial, Gandhi, My Father. The film highlights the troubled relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son Hiralal. Akshaye Khanna played Hiralal in a gripping tale of a strained relationship between the father-son duo.
Ben Kingsley
He essayed the role of the Father of the Nation in the 1982 film Gandhi. He was also honoured with the Academy Award for playing Bapu in the Richard Attenborough-directed film.
Annu Kapoor
Actor Annu Kapoor enacted Mahatma Gandhi on screen in the 1993 film Sardar, based on Sardar Patel.
Dilip Prabhavalkar
He played the role of Mahatma Gandhi in a rather unusual avatar in Raj Kumar Hirani’s Lage Raho Munnabhai.
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