Mumbai: Applause Entertainment has announced its most ambitious series yet: a sweeping tale of Indian Independence seen through the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi.
The content studio has acquired the rights to the two most definitive books on Gandhi authored by noted historian Ramachandra Guha. Applause Entertainment is a venture of Aditya Birla Group.
Based on the writings of Guha, the monumental biopic on Gandhi will be a premium, multi-season series adapted from his two books — ‘Gandhi Before India’ and ‘Gandhi – The Years that Changed the World’. The series will be produced for a worldwide audience and shot extensively across several Indian and international locations. Pratik Gandhi will essay the role of the Mahatma.
“Ramachandra Guha is a historian and storyteller par excellence and we are honoured to adapt his classic books to screen. We couldn’t think of anyone better than the incredibly talented Pratik Gandhi to bring alive the Mahatma and his philosophies of peace and love that shook the world. This is a story of the birthing of modern India for a global audience,” said Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment.
“Gandhi’s work transformed the world and his legacy still sparks the most intense debates. His life was an epic journey, played out across three great countries: India, England and South Africa. He fought nobly for freedom, for inter-faith harmony, and for the rights of the underprivileged. Along the way he made many friends and not a few enemies too. I am delighted that my books on Gandhi are now being adapted for this ambitious and exciting series being produced by Applause Entertainment. I am confident that it will bring the complex contours of Gandhi’s life and the moral essence of his teachings to viewers across the globe,” Guha said.
Pratik Gandhi said, “I deeply believe in the Gandhian philosophy and his values that echo simplicity in its purest forms. Personally too, I strive to achieve and imbibe many of his qualities and teachings in my daily life. Moreover, playing the role of Mahatma is very close to my heart ever since my theatre days and now it is a huge honour to yet again essay the role of this legendary leader, on screen. I believe it’s a huge responsibility to essay this role with dignity, grace and conviction and I can’t wait to embark on this journey with Sameer Nair and his team at Applause.”
