Mon Avis: Gandhi, My Father - Sincere but Ineffective

Gandhi, my father is a narrative that just falls short of being a documentary, and because of this it doesn’t spare you from yawning. No doubt that it is a sincere effort, an effort at doing something that has never been tried before – Showing Gandhi, the Father of his sons rather than Father of Nation.

As said, narrative is arduously long and to add to the misery it is also incomplete and ineffective at most of the times. The drama is intense but unable to sketch the strenuous father son relationship that MK Gandhi shared with his son Harilal (Played by Akshaye Khanna). The film canvases across his ambition to be a barrister, his shameful and guilt-ridden failures at business and matriculate exam, and his connivance with few greedy and opportunist businessmen to cash in on the popularity and benevolent image of MKG

Ups:

• The movie is unique in terms of its context. It restricts Gandhi’s role in National Freedom to a backdrop and manages to devote most of its time to showcase deteriorating bond with his son
• Akshay has pulled off gem of a performance. Needless to say though, he is one of the most underrated actors who have time and again shown what he is capable of. Even when you see him hamming in few of the scenes, he wins over your heart with the sincerity with which he rises above his role
• Darshan Jariwala has done well in the role of Gandhi, though his impersonation of Gandhi dwindles at the end of the show
• Shefali Chaaya shines in the role of Kasturba Gandhi as a woman torn between her allegiance to her husband and her love for her son

Downs:

• Actors apart, director Feroz makes an honest effort to put things in perspective but fails to present a convincing portrayal.
• Script, likewise, leaves a lot of loopholes to ponder over, Why MKG is against his son’s early marriage? Why he is left alone in India to study in his 'Rashtrabhasha’ while other children are in South Africa? Why suddenly he converts to Islam and who is his patron? These issues have been left hanging.
• Length of the movie is another big mistake that director seems to have overlooked. The movie spans for more than 150 minutes and cannot do without a little pruning

All in all, a nice cinema if you have any interest in periodic dramas.