Gandhi My Father

STORYLINE :-

This isstory of Mahatma , Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and his eldest son Harilal was a normal child growing up with an illustrious father ,who was a barrister in South Africa (S.A.)

During his formative years young and innocent Harilalis shifted to and fro from Rajkot to SA ; 3-4 times ,according to hisfathers whims and conveniences .This leads to defective basis for edu as well as life .Harilals dream of persuing higher education& become a barrister is crushed .

His father turns a blindeye towards the boys wishes .Separates the boy from his wife and kids and uses him in his own political warfare to enhance his own image .

Here we must concede that maybe Gandhiji wanted to develope Harilalas a politicianand maybe in future Harilal would have played a bigger role ?

Harilals marriage is fixed in his teens to a girl of Gandhijis Choice ,Ms Gulab. But when Harilal decides to marry her, he baulks again and refuses permission.Harilal marries anyway . But leaves for SA leaving pregnant Gulab in Rajkot.

In SA instead of Harilals wishes to persue education Gandhijidraws him in SA s

freedom struggle. Gulab is called & so comes to SA , only to leave after few days for Rajkot as Harilal is too busy going to jail etc .

Still Harilal is very much devoted to Gandhiji . One Mr Pranjeevandas creates a scholarship specifically for Gandhijiskids for overseas study . But gandhiji twice donates it to lesser deserving candidatesthan Harilal . This mainly to show how impartial he was ..! From here the disillusionment starts . During all this Kasturba or Ba , is always on Harilals side. But the stubborn fatheralways overrules her .

Harilal decides to go back to Rajkot. Gandhiji realizes his mistakes , says sorry to Harilal . But the spell is broken now.

Harlal goes back to Rajkot but is not able to pass in science maths etc , repeatedly .

He is jobless, depends on money sent by Gandhiji .

By this time Gandhiji with Baa comes back to India. Harilal wants money for business.

Wants to raise it by mortgaging unused Ancestral Home. Gandhiji discloses that he has written off all his property to his brothers . It come as a shock to Harilal and even Ba .

Harilals disillusionment with his father is complete now .

From here starts the downfall of Harilal . Harilalslife is Botched up by Gandhiji till now.

Hereafter Harilal himself Botches it up. Harilal breaks free of the Mahatma andtries in vein to make success of his life .

Rest of the Picture depicts how Harilal makes wrong moves, wrong choices of freinds and luck also elludeshim. Harilal acquires all vices , tarnishes Gandhijiss name. He becomes the black sheep of the family . Drinks , visits brothels , cheats people of their money using Mahatmas name. He then converts to Islam as Mr. Abdulla and then back to Hinduism.

Harilal becomes a pain in neck for Gandhiji , and He & Ba die , carrying this sorrow to their grave . Harilal dies as a destitute in Mumbais GeneralHospital .

Events in Gandhijis life relevent to this storyline are depicted in the movie .

REVIEWANDCOMMENTS . **** 4 stars .

The picture is made very nicely . Nobody is painted as villain or saint .

The story is told impassionately. It is left to theviewer to draw conclusions .

The camerawork is pleasing to the eyes . Costumes are realistic . Dilogues are good.

The choice of actors is really good . Music is OK. Storyline developes rapidly .

But in second half touches only superficial layers of protagonists emotions .

Akshay Khanna has done a superb job as Harilal .Akshays work in films like Taal ,Aa ab laut chale , Hamraz , and Dil chahta haiwas good . He appears to act effortlessly .

Darshan Jariwala has portrayed the Mahatma quite well . Ben kingsleys own personality was peeping out through his portrayal of Gandhiji; while Mr Jariwalas comes through only as Gandhiji .

Shefali shetty is a very good actress . She was good in Mansoon Wedding , Satya , and is outstanding here . Caught between father and son , her eyes speak volumes about her pain and helplessness.

Bhumika Chavlahas lend good support .Other characters in film are not developed at all.

Conclusion :- Human relationships are too complex and delicate .

Gandhiji was father of our nation . But he failed as a father to Harilal . Harilal never allowed Gandhiji to forget this mistake . Harilals mistake was that , he wallowed in self sympathyand pity ; and blamed everything on Bapu .

The film touches your heart . Feel sorry for Harilal in first half , for Gandhiji and Ba in second half .Definitely should see it once .Due to weak second half , repeat viewing value goes down .