Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, is one of the few prominent personalities filmmakers love. Millions of people were inspired by his struggle to gain independence for India. Filmmakers depict their lives in hopes of inspiring the younger generations.
The sacrifices and hard work Mahatma Gandhi put in to make his dream come true will never be forgotten after you learn about his life.
Movies Made on Mahatma Gandhi and His Principles
Today is as good a day as any other to remember the man who gave us so much; his preaching, ideologies, and actions are something to learn from. So let’s revisit some of the best movies based on Mahatma Gandhi’s life.
Nine Hours to Rama (1963)
IMDB – 6.6/10, Reviews
Nine hours to Rama is highly distinguishable as “historical fiction.” The plot follows Stanley Wolpert’s novel and remains faithful to its plotline. It perfectly captures events that took place after independence, especially the political tension. It was all part of the buildup to the murder of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948.
Nelson Gidding wrote a brilliant screenplay eliminating some of the filler of the novel and limiting the backstory of the characters focusing only on the assassin, Nathuram Godse. As a result, the movie’s pace picks up from the beginning and keeps up till the heartbreaking ending.
Using cinematographer Arthur Ibbetson, Mark Robson employs his creativity. Thus, they make use of India’s beautiful landscape for the film’s benefit as well as the benefit of its citizens. Robson’s cast consists mainly of international leads who blend perfectly with other Indian actors in the movie.
Robson and his crew deliver perfect performance, and the execution oozes professionalism for which they deserve high praise. From the chilling opening credits done by Saul Bass to the ideal costume and production design. All the scenes are brilliantly staged and edited, while the assassination sequence is the most nerve-wracking. The efforts put in to create this movie easily make it one of the most underrated films of the 1960s. It has been deemed as one of the best 5 Indian movies based on Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi (1982)
IMDB – 8.0/10, Reviews
Mohandas K Gandhi was thrown off because he was Indian and travelled first class on a South African train in 1893. After that, Gandhi came to a realization that the laws discriminate against Indians. To ensure all Indians’ rights in South Africa, he plans to launch a peaceful protest campaign soon.
After many tragic events and because of the pressure of other nations, the South African government finally agreed to recognize the rights of Indians. As a result, Gandhi achieved an overwhelming victory, after which he returned to India, where people call him a national hero.
Indians urge him to take charge of their fight against the Britishers and gain independence. Gandhi agreed to fight for his country and led a nonviolent campaign on a national scale where millions took part in this movement.
Eventually, the battle dies down, leaving the country divided into two factions. Due to most Muslims, the conclusion was to name the northwest territory and the eastern part of India, Pakistan. Many hope that the violence will stop if the Muslims agree to live in a new country.
Gandhi opposed this idea and even allowed Muhammad Ali Jinnah to be India’s first prime minister, but partition still happens. Gandhi tries his best to bring cooperation between both countries but instead angers many on both sides. A dissident eventually assassinated him—a great movie about Mahatma Gandhi’s life and times.
Gandhi, My Father (2007)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in Gujarat and had many brothers who owned properties in Rajkot. When he was 13, Gandhi married Kasturba. After becoming an adult, he set off for England, became a Barrister, and Kasturba went to settle in South Africa.
They returned to India, where Kasturba gave birth to four sons and named them Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas. A little later, they went back to South Africa, leaving Harilal in India. However, Harilal was not a bright student and was not keen on studying, so he married Gulab without asking his parents.
Harilal dreamt of becoming a Barrister, but he found himself on a new path as his father urged him to take an active role against the racist British regime.
Because of his participation, Harilal was arrested and sent to prison. However, his father sent Chaganlal, his nephew, instead of him, so he lost all hope of becoming a lawyer. Moreover, when Chaganlal failed to succeed, he sent Sorabjee to try his luck. In a desperate attempt to return to India, Harilal assumed the identity of Pranjal Mehta but was unable to deceive the authorities.
Gulab, who gave birth to four others, grew impatient and safely returned to India. Gandhi was also imprisoned because of his protests against British Laws, especially the act which only allowed a marriage done by a Christian Priest. Upon his release, Mohandas went back to India, hoping Harilal would follow in his footsteps.
He thought about becoming a Christian but became an Islamic, changing his name to Abdullah. His mother soon after gave him a visit asking him to convert back to Hinduism. Will his family welcome him back? Check this one of the best 5 Indian movies based on Gandhi.
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
Munna Bhai is a gangster in the underworld who falls heads over heels for Jahnvi, who runs an elder’s home. However, it turns out that an evil builder takes over the building and, with Circuit’s help, throws out the residents while Munna is romancing Jahnvi.
Munna now poses as a Professor with in-depth knowledge about the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He now must battle against his demons and the builder but gets immense help from none other than Mahatma Gandhi.
The only issue at hand is that no one can sense the presence of Mahatma, and no one believes him. One of the best 5 Indian movies based on Mahatma Gandhi.
The Making of Mahatma (1996)
IMDB – 6.8/10, Reviews
An ongoing feud between two cousins of Mohammedan origin seeks the help of an Indian Barrister. They ask him to travel to Britain and settle the matter in a court of law to settle their dispute.
Upon reaching Britain, the Barrister finds out that Indians are heavily disrespected against, and their condition is worse than a servant’s. Despite being dressed in proper attire, he is thrown from the first-class train compartment without a single thought.
Moreover, the Barrister witnesses discrimination in various ways, like when he is shoved on a footpath or made to sit with the coach’s driver. The Barrister tries to get justice but is met with disapproval from government bureaucrats and the opposition.
Thus, the cousins’ dispute is settled outside of court, and he then proceeds to unify the local Asians. However, he witnesses the same discrimination when he travels to Durban, South Africa.
He continues his protest against such treatment despite meeting a lot of resistance. Later on, the world knows him as Mahatma Gandhi. If you haven’t seen one of the best movies inspired by the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi, then now is the time.
Hey Ram (2000)
IMDB – 7.9/10, Reviews
The movie begins with the introduction of Saketh Ram in his old age, and immediately the flashback starts. We see the life he was living as a young man, enjoying himself with his friends. Soon he married Aparna, a Bengali wife, and was living a joyous life.
But it’s 1946, and the independence of India from the British empire is imminent but is hindered by the ongoing feud between the Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims are in the minority and demand their independent state.
Saketh, along with Aparna, is in Calcutta, where rioting is going on. He ignores the warnings and steps out to buy food but soon encounters a Hindu woman chased by Muslim men. He saves her, due to which the men come to his house later and kill his wife.
Devastated by the news, Saketh vows to kill as many Muslims as possible and takes them to the streets. He comes across Shriram Abhyankar and joins him in the cause with other Hindu extremists.
Maine Gandhi Ko Nai Mara (2005)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
Uttam Chaudhary is a widow living a comfortable life with his son Karan who goes to college, Trisha, his daughter, who plans on marrying a South Indian. His eldest son lives in the United States and sends back money home, sustaining the family’s livelihood.
Uttam is a professor but starts becoming forgetful as he grows old, due to which he is asked to retire. Trisha takes care of him as he is very close to her. The first time Trisha witnesses her father’s memory loss is when he says that he is getting late for work and asks his wife to prepare breakfast. Things start getting out of hand after that and get significantly worse when Trisha’s lover visits her home along with his family.
In front of his parents, Uttam goes on about he played a role in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
Trisha starts wondering if what her father is saying is true and what happened that her father recounts such memories. But, during the same time, she must come face-to-face because her father’s condition will negatively impact her love life.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)
IMDB – 8.9/10, Reivews
The movie deals with the life of one of the most significant social reformers, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The plot is set between 1901 and 1956, where Ambedkar’s previous life as a reformer is showcased.
Ambedkar belonged to the untouchable community and was the first graduate amongst them. He never concerns himself with politics or rallies; instead, he reminds himself consistently that he is here to study.
However, his meetings with the Afro-Americans and his teacher who supports human rights wake the activist within him. At the same time, Mahatma Gandhi is leading the charge of India’s fight against the British. So Babasahed launches a movement against the high caste Hindus.
The ideologies of Ambedkar and Gandhi often clash. Yet Gandhi sees his value and keeps high hopes from Ambedkar. On Mahatma Gandhi’s suggestion, Ambedkar became the first Law Minister of India. The film ends with the untouchable community rejoicing and Ambedkar renouncing Hinduism.
Conclusion
One can’t help but be in awe of Mahatma Gandhi, who won us our freedom through non-violent means. He brought together the nation and rallied millions of locals to rid Britishers who were occupying India. His writings and teachings continue to inspire others.
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