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JANUARY 2013
PRABUDHHA JIVAN GANDHI SMRUTI CHINTAN SPECIAL
57
domestic quarrel or empathise with their compulsions. delicate balance of dignity, aesthetics, drama, facts and
To the horror of many, the two main characters in cinematic grammar. the film kept shifting as protagonist and antagonist. We RELEASE were with the Mahatma several times or it was Harilal
All marketing strategies are focused on getting the who made us weep so often.
largest number of people to see the film. Some of the The final story, screenplay and dialogues is a result
ideas are morally dubious and ideologically dangerous.
ideas of these big and small battles with perhaps million
Since a large number of film going audience is mutinies inside me.
young, we were advised to project the film as a clash SHOOT
between the younger generation of hopeful and the First day of shoot, 31 st.January 2005. Early older generation of rigidity and dogma. Let it be seen morning, I was driving to the location, the famous step- as an anti-gandhi film relieving the young from the wells of Ahmedabad. We passed the Sabarmati tyranny of principled action, conscientious choices, Ashram. I requested the driver to turn around and hard work, pursuit of excellence, compassion, nonreached the doors of Hriday Kunj, a small private room violence etc etc. Harilal was to be the young hero and where the Mahatma would sit, spinning, weaving. Gandhi the vanquished villain. praying and guiding the Indian freedom movement. The A section of the media suggested we selectively Ashram was quiet and empty. A solitary janitor, braving highlight the provocative parts of the film and let the the cold winter, cleaning the room, invited me to sit controversy rage and spread. This could prove to be a and pray in this most sanctified place. General public mutually beneficial arrangement. is barred entry to avoid desecration.
The argument between finance and morals is fierce As a chosen one, I could hardly hold back my tears, and delicate. All films are commerce if a lot of money sitting there, weeping profusely, I kept asking Bapu to has been spent and it should at least recover the cost. give me the strength to make a film that does not hurt After much debate, arguments and soul searching, the greatness of Mahatma. I could abandon the project screened the film for the members of the Gandhi but would never be able to live with guilt of having family. They had to be the ultimate arbitrators of this wronged him.
legacy. This incident shook me to my core.
Deeply moved after watching the film, one of them As an illustration, there is a scene in the film where told me that it seems as if one of our close family Harilal is sitting in a tiny room with a prostitute asking
member has made this film experiencing the agony her to let him stay a bit longer, as he wants to have a
and anguish of Ba and Bapu as parents and suffering conversation with her. She firmly asks him to leave as
the pain and helplessness of Harilalbhai as a she has to service other clients.
son without judgement or prejudice. I had a choice to shoot the scene with all the gory
I need not say more, this sums up my conflicts and details and explicit vulgarity at the brothel to
dilemma. sensationalise or to simply explore the loneliness of
P.S.: As a mark of respect to the Mahatma, we Harilal, for whom the world had shut its door on him,
never put posters of the film on walls. They usually get and he simply needed companionship. I chose the latter
torn or peel off and then trampled upon. *** option.
22, Fairfield, Sipahi Malani Marg, Church Gate, Every shot in the film, bears the tension of this Mumbai-400 020. Mobile : 98200 43684. . There are but two roads that lead to an important goal and to the doing of great things: Strenght and
Perseverance. Strenght is the lot of but a few privileged men; but austere perseverance, harsh and continous, may be employed by the smallest of us and rarely fail of its purpose, for its silent power grows irresistibly greater with time. The drop of the rain makes a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling
Mahatma Gandhi
