Movie Review : Gandhi My Father

Gandhi My Father

Punchline: the other side of Gandhi

Genre: Biography/History
Banner: Anil Kapoor Films Company
Cast: Darshan Jariwala, Akshaye Khanna, Shefali Shah & Bhoomika Chawla
Cinematography: David Macdonald
Art: Nitin Desai
Music: Piyush Kanojia
Editor: Sreekar Prasad
Costume: Sujata Sharma
Screenplay - director: Feroz Abbas Khan
Producer: Anil Kapoor
Release date: 3 August 2007

Review

Story
This story is about Harilal Gandhi, eldest son of Mahatma Gandhi and how the father of nation ignored his own family and his son while fighting for independence. Harilal, aims to become a barrister and wants to study in England. But Gandhi's fight for Indian independence stands like a major obstacle in achieving his goal. Over a period of time, Harilal treads wrong paths and gets attracted towards wrong deed. The tag of Gandhi becomes unbearable for Harilal. He converts his religion into Muslim and reconverts to Hinduism later. He steals his company money to do the trade of foreign cloths ironically, when his father is campaigning vigorously about swadeshi cloths.

Actors performances
The performances of all characters in this film are exemplary. Darshan Jariwala is excellent as Gandhi. He resembles Gandhiji a lot. Akshaye Khanna is a revelation in this film. You feel for his character. Shefali Shah's work is first rate and she excelled in the scenes involving her son. Bhumika Chawla is awesome as Harilal's wife.

Story - Screenplay - direction
The director Feroz Abbas Khan did a brave attempt to bring the most sensitive and vulnerable side of Gandhiji to the big screen on a big scale. But while doing the basic framework, the director has overlooked the holistic perspective and concentrated only on the relationship between Gandhi and Harilal. He did not even mention anything about Gandhiji's other three sons. If anybody who does not know Gandhiji so well watch this film, they would end up believing that Gandhiji has only one son called Harilal. Director extracted great performance from his cast. His direction is very good. He could bring out genuine emotions and transport them to the hearts of audiences very well. The way he dealt the mother - son episodes in this film speaks volumes about his ability.

Other departments
Cinematography of the film is superb. Music is fine. Editing is good. The make-up department should be commended for a fine work. Costumes deserve special mention. Artwork suited the pre-independence look. Anil Kapoor deserves a pat on his back for his fine taste in making cinemas.

Analysis
We have been reading about Gandhiji since our school days. But this film gives a different account about the personal tragedy of Gandhiji as he fought for nation by devoting more time to the country. Barring certain issues the director overlooked at script level, this film is a must watch for its performances and intense moments. You end out stepping out of the theater with emotion-filled heart.


Bollywood Gola Rating :

Film Industry cancels all celebrations

It has been a time of extreme stress for the Indian entertainment industry. While one of Sanjay Dutt's unreleased films Indra Kumar's comedy Dhamaal is dubbed and all set for release, the future of his other projects including his friend Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug which Dutt showed for about a week before abandoning , stands in severe jeopardy.

As for Raj Kumar Hirani whose Munnabhai brand cannot stand on its own without Dutt's presence, he seems to have gone into a shell. The third part of the ongoing Munnabhai series entitled Munnabhai Chale Amrika now stands suspended, unless producer Vinod Chopra decides to make it with another actor in the lead.

Says a source, "That's quite unlikely because Vinod is extremely emotional about Sanju Dutt. They've worked together in Mission Kashmir .And Sanju has gone on record to say he'd always work for Vinod without asking about his role."

However a message sent from Raj Kumar Hirani's cellphone by his assistant says, "Mr Hirani wouldn't like to speak on Sanjay Dutt's verdict or other issues. Hope you'll understand."

Silence may be golden. But not too many of Hirani's colleagues in the industry are adopting that method of diplomatic reticence which is so characteristic of the wary industry. There's vocal outrage in the industry. Everyone seems to feel Sanjay Dutt has suffered enough. His close buddies like Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Gupta have for now abandoned work to chalk out a future plan of action to relieve Dutt's legal pressure. Producers who have incomplete films on hand say they are ready to wait for as long as it takes for Dutt to come out of jail.

A pall of gloom now shrouds the industry. No one is in the mood for celebrations. Anil Kapoor has never shared a very warm relationship with Dutt. Nevertheless he cancelled the Mumbai premiere of his prestigious Gandhi My Father.

Says Kapoor, "Suddenly my excitement about my film went down. I did hold a a pre-release screening of Gandhi My Father for close friends. But there was no proper premiere."

Ravi Chopra had planned a lavish premiere for the colorized revival of his father's classic Naya Daur along with the release of a book celebrating 58 years of the banner B.R.Films .

Says Ravi, "It's unfortunate that we had to cancel our Naya Daur premiere. It was going to be attended by the film's lead pair Dilip Kumar and Vyanjanthimala. But Sanjay Dutt's verdict cast a pall of gloom in the industry. The book The BR Story which won't be for commercial sale but a momento for everyone associated with this banner will now be released in a small function whenever the time seems right."

Anubhav Sinha who cancelled the premier of his lavish Cash is heartbroken. "I couldn't have made Dus without Sanju's support. He got me all the big stars from Suniel Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan to Shilpa Shetty . Nobody would've worked with a small director like me if it wasn't for Sanju. When I heard the verdict I just lost my zest for the release of Cash. So much suffering for Sanju. Not fair."

Sinha echoes the entire entertainment industry's sentiments.

Govinda denies finalising Ganesh Acharya

While Ravi Chopra's next and David Dhawan's forthcoming films are most certainly on the anvil for the suddenly-revived career of Govinda, choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Acharya's next which is being counted among the back-on-the-track star's forthcoming projects, is still not a certainty.

When the news of Govinda doing Ganesh Acharya's film broke Govinda called me to say, "Ganesh has approached me. And I'd certainly like to do his film. But I haven't heard his script. And from now on, I won't say yes to any film without a narration. Bahut baar aisa kiya, pachtaya. Jaley ko phook-phook kar aage badhna hota hai (I did this many times. When you're burnt you sip very carefully). Even Ravi Chopraji I said yes to after the narration."

Gone are the days when Govinda would simply say yes to anyone who came to him with a project.

"I realize the script is of utmost importance. Ganesh is a dear friend. But before I say yes to him, I need to hear his script."

Hrithik, Aishwarya start dubbing for Jodha-Akba

The determination to see Jodhaa-Akbar release on time is no longer unreal. Post-production work on Ashutosh Gowariker magnum opus is on full swing. The editing and dubbing are going on simultaneously.

Speaking exclusively to me Ashutosh says, "I'm currently editing the film in Mumbai. It's not an easy task."

Considering the canvas of the storytelling this could well be the director's toughest film yet.

"That isn't all. Aishwarya is shooting in Hyderabad. So she'll dub in that city. While Hrithik will dub in Mumbai" says Ashutosh.

On top of it there are dozens of other actors, big or small, whose dubbing has to be done under the strictest supervision to make sure that the Urdu dialogues are in place and the pronunciation is impeccable.

In fact, Hrithik and Aishwarya have been working doubly hard on their dialogues to live up to Ashutosh's exacting standards.

Celina goes 'red' as she steps her feet in Hollywood

Celina Jaitley is fast turning into a renowned international celebrity. After working in 'Love Has No Language', she is now wooing nothing less than Hollywood!

On July 31, 2007 she walked the red carpet at Hollywood, California, where she took the stand with 21 major celebrities of the world. They all have made an appearance for July issue of Vanity Fair. The list included George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Super Model Iman, Bono, President Bush, Bill Gates, Madonna and many more.

Celina announced - "Do the Red Thing" - while being dressed in 'red' for the 'red' carpet of 'RED for Africa event'.

Stunning Celina also added, "Human race started in Africa. Could our father have been white or red or yellow and could the father have come from anywhere else other than Africa"?

Her quotes were greeted with a thunderous applause with both media as well as fans turning crazy with her first ever Hollywood appearance.

An actress whose stocks are only on a rise over the last two years is looking forward to meeting some of the most notable executives there who are waiting with numerous proposals to rope her in for some major projects in the pipeline.

Stay tuned and watch out for this space as we get you more dope on the latest happenings in the professional life of this femme fatale!

Rani to do an Anti-Smoking campaign

Apart from a scene or two in her films, Rani Mukherjee has never touched a cigarette in her life. A story that Rani has been lately puffing on the cancer stick has her family and friends amused exasperated and bewildered.A very close friend of Rani says, "Rani's mother has apparently been asking Rani to quit smoking. Rani's mom is having fits. She wants to know why she'd ask her daughter to quit smoking when the girl doesn't light up at all? All her friends smoke and drink, and Rani is okay with that. But she won't touch either. We’ve never seen Rani smoke in our life. She has done a couple of scenes in Bicchoo and Bunty Aur Babli where she had to smoke. Beyond that she has never touched the damned thing."

Says the friend, "First the false report on Rani's engagement with Aditya Chopra, now this report about she being a smoker…The day Rani was supposed to have been engaged she was shooting the entire day for Pradeep Sarkar's Laga Chunri Mein Daag and laughing her head off . 'Hey guys guess what? I got engaged and I don't know about it,' she called her friends and joked. But now Rani is really up to her neck. Her father cannot go on clarifying on her behalf. Even on the engagement issue she felt it wasn't right to for her ailing dad to be harassed. 'Dad is already handling my work. How much more can he take?' Rani said to us friends. Her silence is being misconstrued as acquiescence. Rani has been lying low because she feels the stories are much too baseless to be dignified with a clarification. But now she feels some people are taking advantage of her silence." The lady in question is all set to speak out against all the controversies.

Ironically, the story about her smoking comes at a time Rani is all set to do a campaign against smoking.

Says the friend, "Rani had decided to do an anti-smoking campaign on television even before this story came out. Now she's all the more determined to do the campaign, and not just that. She'll soon be giving her version on the supposed engagement with Aditya Chopra because her family and close friends feel such talk and her silence are damaging her career."

Special Independence Day celebrations at Wagah Border

No gun shots this Independence Day at Wagah border. Instead, celebrating the 60 years of Independence through the language of music, across the borders, promises to give new direction to the relationship the two neighbours share.

Musicians from both the countries will be lending their voice for this programme. Artists like A.R.Rahman, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Aatif Aslam and Shafqat Ali would be performing from 11 pm on August 14 to 1 am on August 15. The show will be telecasted in the both the countries for people across the borders to witness and realize the reason behind an endeavour put by Rakesh Gupta, Secretary of NGO Routes 2 Roots to bring harmony between the two countries.

Bollywood stars, Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla and former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akhtar and Pakistani Designer Shaiyanne Malik will also be present to host the event.

Independence Day seems to be celebrated in true spirits…..Cheers to that!!!

UTV's The Blue Umbrella & Fear to premiere online

UTV Motion Pictures is set to redefine the landscape of film distribution by aggressively leveraging generation next technology. UTV announced tie-ups with three portals that will premiere UTV Motion Picture’s two forthcoming film releases online along with treating the audience to the rich and varied fare of UTV's library of movies.

Vikram Bhatt directed Fear premieres on August 10 across three web portals. This film will be released online without a theatrical release, a first for an Indian film. Further, Vishal Bhardwaj's The Blue Umbrella also releases online on August 10, the same day as its theatrical release in India. Each online movie download is priced at USD 9.99 for a standard download and USD 19.99 for a higher resolution download. This is targeted at audiences in markets like US, UK, South East Asia and the Middle East. Both movies will be available on a 'download to Own' instead of the usual 'download to rent' with 72 hours DRM.

Says Siddharth Roy Kapur, Executive Vice President – Marketing, Distribution & Syndication, UTV Motion Pictures, "Our audiences overseas have lesser ease of access to our films as compared to audiences here in India. Using the Internet as a medium of distribution is the way forward for content owners to combat piracy; which is to have movies available for viewing legitimately online."

Besides all UTV Motion Pictures productions and releases will also be available online, for free streaming and/ or paid downloads. Some UTV films you can see online include: Swades, Rang De Basanti, Taxi No 9 2 11, Bluffmaster, Chup Chup Ke, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Hattrick and Life in a Metro.

As of now, this paid for content is being consumed primarily by the overseas audience and the revenue stream thus generated has a limited impact on the overall revenue of films. However, the next generation of film distribution will see online and iptv contributing much larger ratios to overall film revenues.

Awarapan DVDs release internationally!

Studio 18 International has released the official DVDs of the Mohit Suri-directed Awarapan, promptly within a month of its theatrical release in all the key overseas markets.

The DVD contains extra features including the making of the movie and the remix videos of Tera Mera Rishta, To Phir Aao and Maahiya.

The first overseas release from the Bhatt camp did heartening business at the international box-office and was released in as many as 15 countries.

Hansika,an amazing 16 yr old

Cute Hansika Motwani was asked to put on weight to suit the character in her debut film 'Aap Ka Surroor'. But now the teenager is well on her way to attaining the 'perfect 10' figure.

Fitness guru Mickey Mehta who trains and manages health regimes of high flying celebs like Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Preity Zinta and many others has formulated a strategy for her that involves equipment free exercises and intelligent wellness programmes such as Yoga, breathing, swimming, martial arts etc.

Hansika has been put on a special diet called the 'Vedic diet' which consists of nuts, sprouts, fruits, soups, salads, 'jawari rotis', mildly steamed veggies, wholesome brown rice etc. But being the kid that she is what if she is tempted to junk food?

Says Mehta, "We don't stop her from junk. But we also inculcate the responsibility within her to stay away from what is not good for her. She understands the programme, so she tries hard to fight temptation. For a 16-year-old she is amazing."

No parties without Sanjay Dutt

It has been a time of extreme stress for the Indian entertainment industry. While one of Sanjay Dutt's unreleased films Indra Kumar's comedy Dhamaal is dubbed and all set for release, the future of his other projects including his friend Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug which Dutt showed for about a week before abandoning, stands in severe jeopardy.

As for Raj Kumar Hirani whose Munnabhai brand cannot stand on its own without Dutt's presence, he seems to have gone into a shell. The third part of the ongoing Munnabhai series entitled Munnabhai Chale Amrika now stands suspended, unless producer Vinod Chopra decides to make it with another actor in the lead.

Says a source, "That's quite unlikely because Vinod is extremely emotional about Sanju Dutt. They've worked together in Mission Kashmir. And Sanju has gone on record to say he'd always work for Vinod without asking about his role."

However a message sent from Raj Kumar Hirani's cellphone by his assistant says, "Mr Hirani wouldn't like to speak on Sanjay Dutt's verdict or other issues. Hope you'll understand."

Silence may be golden. But not too many of Hirani's colleagues in the industry are adopting that method of diplomatic reticence which is so characteristic of the wary industry. There's vocal outrage in the industry.

Everyone seems to feel Sanjay Dutt has suffered enough. His close buddies like Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Gupta have for now abandoned work to chalk out a future plan of action to relieve Dutt's legal pressure.

Producers who have incomplete films on hand say they are ready to wait for as long as it takes for Dutt to come out of jail.

A pall of gloom now shrouds the industry. No one is in the mood for celebrations.

Anil Kapoor has never shared a very warm relationship with Dutt. Nevertheless he cancelled the Mumbai premiere of his prestigious Gandhi My Father.

Says Kapoor, "Suddenly my excitement about my film went down. I did hold a a pre-release screening of Gandhi My Father for close friends. But there was no proper premiere."

Ravi Chopra had planned a lavish premiere for the colorized revival of his father's classic Naya Daur along with the release of a book celebrating 58 years of the banner B.R.Films.

Says Ravi, "It's unfortunate that we had to cancel our Naya Daur premiere. It was going to be attended by the film's lead pair Dilip Kumar and Vyanjanthimala. But Sanjay Dutt's verdict cast a pall of gloom in the industry.

The book The BR Story which won't be for commercial sale but a momento for everyone associated with this banner will now be released in a small function whenever the time seems right."

Anubhav Sinha who cancelled the premier of his lavish Cash is heartbroken. "I couldn't have made Dus without Sanju's support. He got me all the big stars from Suniel Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan to Shilpa Shetty.

Nobody would've worked with a small director like me if it wasn't for Sanju. When I heard the verdict I just lost my zest for the release of Cash. So much suffering for Sanju. Not fair."

Sinha echoes the entire entertainment industry's sentiments.

Ash-Hrithik Vs exquesite Urdu

The determination to see Jodhaa-Akbar release on time is no longer unreal.

Post-production work on Ashutosh Gowariker magnum opus is on full swing.

The editing and dubbing are going on simultaneously.

Speaking exclusively to me Ashutosh says, "I'm currently editing the film in Mumbai. It's not an easy task."

Considering the canvas of the storytelling this could well be the director's toughest film yet.

"That isn't all. Aishwarya is shooting in Hyderabad. So she'll dub in that city. While Hrithik will dub in Mumbai,"says Ashutosh.

On top of it there are dozens of other actors, big or small, whose dubbing has to be done under the strictest supervision to make sure that the Urdu dialogues are in place and the pronunciation is impeccable.

In fact Hrithik and Aishwarya have been working doubly hard on their dialogues to live up to Ashutosh's exacting standards.

Katrina doesn't talk to Bips!

Lara Dutta and Katrina Kaif will be seen on 'Koffee with Karan' on August 5 at 2100 hrs on Star One and Star World channels.

In this week's episode, Lara jokingly remarks, ''It has taken me a whole year to undo the stuff I spoke in the last episode.''

Post the success of 'Partner' and 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom', Lara shares that the wait for good movies has paid off, but points out that the industry still has this wrong notion that a glamorous looking person cannot act.

On the other hand, Katrina, who seems to be in a rather philosophical mood, is just not willing to commit that she is dating Salman Khan.

She tells Karan that she is not on talking terms with Bipasha Basu. However, she feels that a third party may have come between them and caused the friction.

SRK is excited about his Girls

Shah Rukh Khan is hugely excited aboyt Shimit Amin's Chak De India.

Says SRK, "I feel hockey as a sport has been monstrously neglected in our country. I used to play the game during college. In fact I was quite a good hockey player. So the role was a lot like going back to my past."

Shah Rukh has a whole lot of fun doing a sports film. "We had real Australian female hockey players playing for the film in Australia. And it was truly amazing watching them go through their paces. They were thorough professionals."

Shah Rukh dismisses the myth that he only likes to work within the comfort zone. "I do as many films for Yashraj Films or Karan Johar as I do for other directors. Swades and Don were with first-time directors for me.

And now I'm working with Shimit Amin in Chak De for the first time. It's interesting to see where he comes from, and where he hopes to go with this film. I think making a film based on the game of hockey is really cool."

I buy my lingerie from London : Nisha Kothari

Q: What is your definition of fashion?
A: It could be defined as something in which you, as an individual, are comfortable in and confident about, something which suits your attitude.

Q: Where do you mostly shop from?
A: I am an impulsive buyer and buy things even from the streetside. But I like to shop in Dubai.

Q: Any specific brands you prefer?
A: No, I'm not a brand-conscious person, but I like Versace.

Q: While at home, you mostly wear…
A: Track suits, shorts, t-shirts and comfortable things like that.

Q: Your gym wear is…
A: Again, it would be track suits, t-shirts and jackets.

Q: Do you go for the formal look at times?
A: I love the formal look. I have so many formal clothes that sometimes I'm in a fix about what to wear to parties.

Q: What's your casual look?
A: I think it would depend upon the place or the occasion.

Q: What do you prefer for evening wear?
A: A nice dress and jacket, but then again it depends on the place and occasion.

Q: What about night wear?
A: Anything in cotton because it is very comfortable.

Q: Do you adorn yourself with accessories?
A: Yes, they go well with dresses but I like exquisite and expensive ones. I like gold, diamond and pearls like any other girl.

Q: Which brands do you favour for footwear?
A: I have never thought of this but I like to wear comfortable footwear.

Q: What are the make-up products that you use?
A: I love lipsticks. I have 250 of them. The brands which I prefer are Mac and Body Basics.

Q: Which is the latest perfume that you bought?
A: I have bought three of them together; one each from Burburry, Armani and Christian Dior.

Q: Brand you prefer for lingerie?
A: It is Marks and Spencers, but there is another shop called Boudoir London where you get good stuff.

Q: Which colours do you think are a must in any wardrobe?
A: One should wear all colours because that makes you look lively. -As told to Mili Swarnakar

I'll never get a boob-job done

Kangana Ranaut who once boasted about her serene nature and flawless skin is now all stressed up. Perhaps hard life in a metro, work pressure and erratic hours are taking toll on this small-town actor's health.

But her hard work has paid her well. After two years of hardship Ranaut has bought her dream home at Turner Road.

“It was way too expensive but I am stubborn and so I decided to buy it. I’m moving in the next two months. The apartment is currently being done up. It’s got three rooms — one for me, one for my sister and one for my parents, whenever they visit,” she tells.

Kangana has been saving to pay the installments, reportedly getting paid Rs 75 lakh per film, and spending next to nothing on other activities.

Incidentally, Rani and Priyanka are also shifting into their dream homes in the next few months. “It’s a race to the finish between us,” says Kangana.

But she keeps this healthy competition on the home front only because when it comes to looks Kangana is pretty satisfied with what she has got.

In a candid interview recently she said that she will never go through a boob-job. Even though most of her fellow stars have had silicone implants she is in no hurry to increase her bust-size. According to her she will put more weight on her acting than on other places.

Says Kangana, "These girls feel this is the best way to attract men and become a sex symbol, but little do they realise that it has an adverse effect on their health. I will never get carried away. I’ve often heard men talk about buxom women but I want to know what matters more: a nice pair of boobs or a girl with a good heart?"

Cinema Buzz : John trying his best to woo Bipasha again!

The John Abraham and Bipasha Basu saga continues. The latest news about the on-and-off couple is that John is trying his best to woo Bipasha again. As a result, the two are now bonding over frequent lunches. Bipasha’s Khar pad has been conveniently fixed as the venue, as the actress has an efficient bunch of house staff. Her neighbours say that John’s car is often parked outside their apartment in the afternoon.

Close friends of the couple also indicate that John is making attempts to renew his ties with his girlfriend, and he is making sure that he spends quality time with Bips every day.

On the other hand, Saif Ali Khan is said to be partying with Bips almost every night! Kya believe karen?