The Reel Gandhi
Bapu's first reel portrayal turns 30, so we dig out who played him the best.
As Richard Attenborough's Gandhi turns 30...
FHM takes a look at the best reel portrayal of the peace walker
Annu Kapoor
Film: Sardar (1993)
While this Ketal Mehta biopic was primarily a Paresh Rawal film because he played the lead role of Vallabhai Patel, Annu Kapoor did leave a mark with portrayal of Gandhi.
Darshan Jariwala
Film: Gandhi, My Father
The theatre actor who has played Ranbir Kapoor's dad in Ajaz Prem Ki Gazab Kahani added a lot of depth to this film about Gandhi's relationship with his eldest son Hiralal Gandhi played by Akshaye Khanna.
Dilip Prabhavalkar
Film: Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006)
No could have imagined that a franchise like Munnabhai that's all about lukkhagiri can accomodate a sincere figure like Mahatama Gandhi with such elan, but this stage icon's impeccable performance let the film sail successfully.
Mohan Gokhale
Film: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000)
This Jabbar Patel biopic on the man who framed our constitution won as much accolades for Gokhale as for its maker and lead actor Mammootty. Gokhale exelled in the role that focussed on the Gandhi's non-violent and how he used them to get things done from Britishers.
Naseeruddin Shah
Film: Hey! Ram
Kamal Hassan was so impressed by Mohan Gokhale's portrayal of Gandhi in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar that he wanted to cast him in this venture, but due to Gokhale's demise, Hassan had to rope in Shah who delivered much more majical performance of Gandhi than any one could have expected.
Rajit Kapoor
Film: The Making of Mahatma
This bilingual film by ace filmmaker Shyam Benegal showed Gandhi in different light. It was about his transition from a barrister to a Mahatma. When you watch this film, you will realise with what sincerity did actors like Rajit Kapoor used to perfect the characters they played.
Surendra Rajan
Film: Veer Savarkar, Legend of Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
He was the one who played the angry floor cleaner in Munnabhai, and whenever a small budget film on Gandhi was supposed to be made, Surendra was the ultimate choice because he had the innocent voice that resemble the Mahatma, and also the look.
What else did Gandhi inspire?
A 45 Minute 2D animated film My Dear Bapuji
Sid Meier's game Civilization V
The Salt Satyagrah Online, a virtual reenactment of the movement by DeLappe on a treadmill.
From the January 2013 issue of FHM India.
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