Gandhi

Genre: political biopic
Director: Richard Attenborough
Release: 1982
Studio: Indo-British Films, International Film Investors, Goldcrest Films International – Sony Pictures Releasing
Rating: PG
MBiS score: 9.5/10


Salt From India, The Salt Of The Earth


In January 1948, as the Delhi faithful rush to prayers, a young man in a grey shirt emerges from the crowd and assassinates Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), the Indian spiritual leader. At his funeral, expressions of sympathy pour in from all over the world. 'In his hands, proclaimed one Western commentator, humility and simple truth were weapons more powerful than whole empires.' In our modern era replete with tyrants, weaklings and two-faced leaders, what did Gandhi achieve to merit such praise? Plenty, brothers and sisters, plenty. With Rohini Hattangady (Kasturba, Gandhi's wife), Ian Charleson (Charlie Andrews), Roshan Seth (Pandit Nehru), Alyque Padamsee (Mohamed Ali Jinnah), Martin Sheen (Vincent Walker), Geraldine James (Miss Slade – Mirabehn), Candice Bergen (Margaret Bourke-White), Edward Fox (General Dyer), John Gielgud (Lord Irwin), Trevor Howard (Judge Broomfield), Saeed Jaffrey (Sardar Patel) and Shreeram Lagoo (Professor Gokhale). Music by George Fenton and Ravi Shankar.

While our reckless world threatens to erase Gandhi's legacy from its collective memory, this film reminds us of his invaluable contribution to peace, justice and the defence of human rights. At first an undistinguished lawyer, Gandhi gained prominence as an opponent of institutional racism in South Africa. After bringing the Smuts government to reason, he returned home to wage another battle, this time against British colonial rule, and succeeded once again. As overwhelming as those victories were, they are almost unimaginable when you consider the weapons Gandhi wielded against his people's oppressors; instead of violence, he urged humility, patience, discipline and civil disobedience. Though the target of constant and excruciating abuse, he remained his intelligent and determined self, willing to suffer with his followers in the name of truth and integrity.

Unlike many biopics, Richard Attenborough's epic film does not limit itself to events. Thanks to John Briley's outstanding script and powerful dialogues, it also examines the ideas and ideals that drove Gandhi as a militant. His syncretic view of religion, mistrust of politics and doubts when faced with the immensity of his task are ably documented here. His frankness, love of the poor and openness toward one and all are also evident in Ben Kingsley's magnificent performance. As masterful as Attenborough's movie truly is, its weight rested squarely on Kingsley's shoulders and he pulled off a miracle, clearly deserving his Oscar for Best Actor. The all-star cast around him, composed of Indian, British and American thespians, seconded him beautifully in roles of reason, stubbornness, dignity or brutality. Notice that, overall, the Brits and South Africans are patently despicable while most of the film's decency and spiritual value is contributed by Indians; on this account alone, it was fitting that a British film set matters straight for our generation and the ones to follow.

Without a doubt, GANDHI is a well-balanced and inspiring picture but also a tough watch since it depicts many revolting and appalling events; its last half-hour is disheartening but no less important to our understanding of human nature. It explains some of today's political realities in the Indian subcontinent, promotes virtues at once universal and necessary and shows us how politics should be practised in our era, not with polls and calculation but with principles, self-control, firmness and an eye to the future. Its lessons are timeless, stimulating and hugely effective.

Thus, if you are a true movie buff and you care about our world, I strongly recommend that you spend three hours on GANDHI. You will never forget the Mahatma, his radiant smile and innate generosity. Hail Attenborough's masterpiece of art and humanity but, more than anything, rejoice in Bapu's message and legacy!


MBiS

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