#List: Top 5 Mahatma Gandhi portrayal in movies

Posted by : Amrit Thursday 3 October 2013

It is a National Holiday here in India, because of Mahatma Gandhi's 144th Birthday. So, I thought of writing something about the man himself. I am going to write about five of many portrayals of Mahatma Gandhi I have watched on the big screen and TV and will rank them performance wise. The idea of writing about a list of movies on the Mahatma seemed so common, perhaps everyone is doing it. So, I thought lets talk about the actors who perfect his role.

5. Portrayed by Rajit Kapoor in The making of the Mahatma [1996]: The only reason, he is at the 5th spot and not on the 4th or the 3rd is because this film showcased the life of Gandhi during his stay at South Africa only. Though, it was the only reason he was cast as Gandhi as Shyam Benegal wanted to make a movie on the younger Gandhi. He did all the justice with the role, just the film was a little slow.

4. Portrayed by Annu Kapoor in Sardar [1993]: Before Annu Kapoor became a popular anchor on Antakshari, he delivered some really fine performances in Ek Ruka Hua Faisla [Indian version of the classic 12 Angry Men], Mr. India [practically India's first superhero film] and Sardar. Sardar was made by Ketan Mehta on the life of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, played by Paresh Rawal during the time of Indian freedom and partition. Annu Kapoor took care of almost every little detail, and was quite convincing as Mahatma Gandhi. Though he could have worked more on his speech, which was a little inappropriate.

3. Portrayed by Darshan Zariwala in Gandhi, My Father [2007]: This is a different kind film on Gandhi's life. It focuses on his personal life rather than his political life, his relationship with his son and how the nation's father couldn't be a good father to his own son. For his portrayal as Gandhi, Darshan Zariwala received mixed reaction. He deserves the 3rd spot according to me.

2. Portrayed by Naseeruddin Shah in Hey Ram [2000]: Many of you won't agree with Naseeruddin Shah on the 2nd spot for the best Mahatma Gandhi's portrayals. It is not because he is one of my most favorite actors, but because he did it as intelligently as any other role he executes, not taking the responsibility of being Gandhi too seriously and perfecting it with ease. No other actors who played Gandhi ever tried perfecting or working on Bapu's Gujarati accent but he did, that is Naseeruddin Shah for you.

1. Portrayed by Ben Kingsley in Gandhi [1982]: Do I even need to tell who tops the list of best Gandhi portrayals, Ben Kingsley lived Gandhi. For those who never cared to find out what Mahatma Gandhi looked like, what was his mannerism, how he used to get angry and the way he ate, slept or cried; go watch Gandhi, Gandhi did everything like Ben Kingsley did in this Richard Attenborough Biopic.

#Honorable Mention: Portrayed by Dilip Prabhvalkar in Lage Raho Munna Bhai [2006]: it is a contemporary setup and his character has no issues of his own. He is here to make a difference through the protagonist. It is a great film, but perhaps the other 5 Mahatmas scored a bit higher.

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{ 11 comments... read them below or Comment }

Shasheta3 October 2013 at 04:49
Stopping by from UBC, unfortunately I did not watch these moves about M. Gandhi, but I know who he is. Mr. Gandhi was the great son of India and I can compare him with Martin Luther King Jr,. They both had a vision and both were assassinated. Gandhi's vision of a free India based on religious pluralism, however, was challenged in the early 1940s.
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Karen McMillan3 October 2013 at 05:19
Interesting review, Amrit. I am only familiar with the last version. I didn't know better and enjoyed what Ben Kingsley brought to the performance. Now, I am curious to know about the other movies. Are they in English?
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Diwakar Narayan3 October 2013 at 09:20
I have only watched the third on the list. Excellent movie. I am thinking of watching the rest. Thanks for the list.
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Kajal Kapur3 October 2013 at 13:54
I am here because the title of your blog says 'movie'. I am a self confessed movie buff and that's what brings me here.

Now I have seen 3 out of these 5 and undisputedly the first one on your list is my favorite portrayal of Gandhi. He was a great man and human embodiment of generosity and portraying a selfless man like that is not easy at all.

Its a nice post here :)
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Linda Hampton RN, MSN4 October 2013 at 04:47
I haven't seen most of these Gandhi movies but they should be required watching in school and we should all take a few hours out each year and get inspired by this great one.
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Unknown22 May 2015 at 15:23
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