Gandhi My Father - The Saint vs. the Human, a new perspective
Mahatma vs. Gandhi, there is the great saint and then there is the common man behind the saint. Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings are preached and honored worldwide. But in order to become the great sage he’s revered as, there came sacrifices. Not just those sacrifices that are universally acknowledged as fasting, going to jail, and so forth; but personal sacrifices in his family life. An idealistic man of firm principles, while he gained the faith of the nation, he lost the faith of his own son.
Gandhi – My Father is the less heard story of Hiralal Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s eldest offspring of four. In a touching tale audiences see the perplexed state of Hiralal; his efforts to be a good son, to his indifference towards his father, and eventually his sad demise. Beautifully depicted, melting the coldest of hearts, the relationship between father and son, as well as mother and son reach deep. Drowning in a foray of emotions you can’t help but sympathize for Hiralal’s predicament and Gandhi’s own sorrowful hurt and disappointment.
An excellent subject to bring to the forefront, Gandhi – My Father shows the pressures of being a saint’s son. A unique story, never shared before, is appropriately highlighted by the filmmaker. Well deserving of an A+ for effort and subject matter, Gandhi – My Father is commendable. Thorough detail and research on the topic seem evident; not misleading audiences to hold any bias. Anil Kapoor’s production company takes the standards up when it comes to production quality. The technical wizardry, lighting, background score, and cinematography are all first-rate. Original black & white footage from the time period, add to the authenticity.
What holds the film back from being the best it could possibly be is the pace and editing. Director Feroz Abbas Khan pays attention to the tiniest detail, but neglects seeing the big picture. He could have narrated the story in a more engaging manner to fully captivate viewers of all ages. The general pace is slow and the episodes run in circles.
Although a film to further showcase Akshay Khanna’s histrionics, Gandhi – My Father is a film where Darshan Jariwala as Gandhi and Shefali Shah as Kasturba steal the show. They’re performances are impeccable! However that’s not to say Akshay Khanna doesn’t shine. He shines as the brightest, most talented actor we currently have in the industry. Bhoomika Chawla in her concise role is highly effective. Stellar performances by the whole cast make it a memorable watch.
Gandhi – My Father is an all encompassing film that educates. While it’s slow pace and lack of zest may deter some viewers, it’s a suggested watch. Viewers will be exposed to a new angle and the debate of how good a father Gandhi was to his son vs. the nation will make the family round table discussion. With respect Gandhi – My Father marches off Ritu's Review with 3 stars.