Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869. One of the pioneers of India’s fight for freedom, he went on to spread his philosophy of non-violence to free India from British Raj. His birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, let us revisit some of the popular Bollywood films that either told the story of Mahatma Gandhi or were simply inspired by his life. 

Hey Ram (2000)

This film revolves around India’s Partition and Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination by Nathuram Godse. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah portrays Gandhi, while Kamal Hasan features as Saket Ram, a Hindu fundamentalist. The plot involves Saket Ram holding Gandhiji responsible for violence of the Partition. ‘Hey Ram’ is directed and produced by Kamal Haasan. 

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005)

Directed by Jahnu Barua and produced by Anupam Kher, this film is about the importance of Gandhi in the lives of the people. It stars Anupam Kher in the lead and Urmila Matondkar as his daughter. His character suffers from dementia and causes him to think that he killed Gandhi. 

Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)

This film stars Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Balan. ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ spins Gandhian philosophy in the present context. The film was directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The film’s cast includes Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Dia Mirza and Jimmy Sheirgill. 

Gandhi my father (2007)

‘Gandhi my father’ is based on Gandhi’s son Harilal Gandhi’s biography, ‘Harilal Gandhi: A Life’ by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal. Akshaye Khanna plays Harilal, who felt overshadowed by his illustrious father. 

Darshan Jariwala plays Gandhiji and Shefali Shah stars as Kasturba Gandhi. The film was directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Anil Kapoor.  

Partition 1947 (2017)

‘Partition 1947’ talked about the plight of people during partition and the divide in Hindu-Muslim love and friendship. The film has a star cast including Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson, Manish Dayal, Huma Qureshi and Om Puri. Mahatma Gandhi is played by Neeraj Kabi, while the film is directed by Gurinder Chadha and produced by Paul Mayeda Berges, Gurinder Chadha and Deepak Nayar.