Watch Gandhi, My Father

Gandhi, My Father is a 2007 Indian biographical film that chronicles the life and times of one of the most influential personalities in modern Indian history: Mahatma Gandhi. Directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, the movie captures the relationship between the Father of the Nation and his troubled son Harilal Gandhi. The film is set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence and explores the complex dynamics of a father-son relationship, strained by differences in ideology, ambition, and expectations.

Akshaye Khanna plays Harilal, the elder son of Mahatma Gandhi who is portrayed by Darshan Jariwala. Shefali Shah portrays Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi. The film begins with a young Harilal growing up in the shadow of his father's fame and struggling to find his own sense of identity. He has a tenuous relationship with his father and feels neglected by his absence, emotionally starved by his lack of affection and support.

Harilal, embittered by his father's absence and disapproval of his western education and way of life, sets out to carve his own path, much to the shock of his family and society. He becomes a wastrel and a drunkard, seeking solace in the arms of a Muslim prostitute named Gulab, played by Bhoomika Chawla. His father disowns him publicly and refuses to support or enable his addictive lifestyle, which includes gambling and alcoholism.

The film explores the complexities of a father-son relationship, where the son struggles to come to terms with his father's unattainable ideals and the father grapples with his own beliefs and expectations of his offspring. Mahatma Gandhi, who is revered worldwide for his ideals of non-violent civil disobedience, struggles to communicate with his own son and provide him with the emotional support he craves. Grief-stricken by his son's tumultuous life, Gandhi is plagued by regret and self-doubt, wondering whether his own pursuit of ideology and politics cost him the love and affection of his son.

The movie also offers a window into the turbulent times that shaped modern India, including the struggle for independence from British rule, inter-religious conflicts, and the enduring impact of colonization on Indian society. It portrays Gandhi, not as a hero or an idol, but as a human being, with flaws and vulnerabilities, struggling to reconcile his own vision of India with the aspirations and expectations of his own flesh and blood.

The film is a moving portrayal of a troubled relationship, between a man who became an icon of peace and his own troubled son. Khanna, in particular, delivers a riveting performance as the troubled Harilal, conveying the angst, the pain, and the frustration of a man trapped in a life he never wanted. Jariwala is superb as the Mahatma, capturing the man's essence, his wisdom, and his struggles with equal aplomb.

Overall, Gandhi, My Father is a stirring and thought-provoking film, which offers a fresh perspective on the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a deeply humane film that portrays the complexities of a father-son relationship and underscores the importance of empathy, communication, and love in even the most challenging of familial relationships. The movie will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on viewers and remains a must-watch for anyone interested in India's rich cultural and political history.

Gandhi, My Father is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 57.