MovieChat Forums > Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) Discussion > Is this the first Hindi movie with Gandh...

Is this the first Hindi movie with Gandhi in the title?

posted 19 years ago by ajpisharodi
6 replies | jump to latest

Seriously, how come the first movie about Gandhiji was made by a white man? You would think Gandhi would be a topic of at least slightly frequent use in Hindi film. Is it because a movie about Gandhi raises much controversy in India, or out of respect that a movie about Gandhi would cheapen his image? Or is it just that sadly the Indian film industry was never sophisticated enough to make a film about their country's founder because doing so would require using countless idiotic songs and jokes like "Hey Ram" had?

[–] kaizer_soze 19 years ago

What i feel is that because Congress has been in power for most of the time after independence and they didn't want to change whatever image Gandhi had. Also, the producers and directors were probably not that daring/confident about making a film on Gandhi.

[–] pablo16 18 years ago

It's the people I guess. Kamal Hassan is one of the better artistes of India and Hey Ram was not that bad--but look what the people did, breaking theatres,etc... they cannot accept the shortcomings of Gandhi or anything which does not praise him like a God... like they've been taught at school.

[–] bijou17 15 years ago

More than being about gandhi I think protests, breaking theatres is all political stunts. Common men don't protest but its more politically inspired. Some organization try to gain political advantage out of such stunts.

[–] goodbyeleningoodbyestali 18 years ago

Haven't you watch this great movie? "The Making of the Mahatma (1996)" Directed by Shyam Benegal, with excellent acting.
"You will gain a new understanding of Gandhi; as a person who responded with immense creativity and conviction to the challenges of his time. I recommend this film to anyone who is even remotely interested in Gandhi. It's well worth a watch."

[–] abhishekbachan_34 17 years ago

By saying "The First film ever made about Gandhi" you are referring to the movie "Gandhi(1982)" starring Ben Kingsley ? You called him a "White Person", let me inform you that one of his parents is Indian and one Jewish. Also, his real name is NOT "Ben Kingsley", it is "Krishna Bhanji". His father "Hari Bhanji" was a Kenyan born medical Doctor and like Mahatma Gandhi also of Gujrati Descent which made him perfect for the Role of "Gandhi"

[–] pmathew1216 16 years ago

I think the OP is referring to the director of Gandhi (1982), Sir Richard Attenborough, who is English. But who really cares if the first person who made a movie on Gandhi is a "white person" rather than an "Indian person"? To me it matters in the least.

"Cast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman, pass by!" (W.B. Yeats'epitaph)