Applause Entertainment's highly anticipated series, "Gandhi," directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Pratik Gandhi, has made a monumental splash at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The series, chronicling the life of Mahatma Gandhi, received a standing ovation at its world premiere, marking a proud moment for Indian storytelling on the global stage.
The premiere was a star-studded affair, attended by the team behind the project, including Sameer Nair (Managing Director, Applause Entertainment), Hansal Mehta, Pratik Gandhi, A.R. Rahman, Tom Felton, Kabir Bedi, and Bhamini Oza. "Gandhi" is the first-ever Indian series to be showcased at TIFF, adding to the significance of the premiere.
The series delves into the early life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, exploring his transformation from a shy young man to a global icon of non-violence. Unlike conventional portrayals, the series aims to humanize Gandhi, showcasing his contradictions, failures, awakenings, and self-discovery. The first season, spanning from 1888 to 1915, depicts Gandhi's journey from a student in colonial India to a lawyer in South Africa, highlighting the experiences that shaped his ideology. Two episodes of "Gandhi" were screened at the festival, offering a glimpse into the young man behind the icon.
Pratik Gandhi, who plays the titular role, has garnered praise for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi. Hansal Mehta emphasized that the casting focused on finding actors who could convey authenticity rather than just physical similarity. Pratik Gandhi brought his skill, patience, and discipline to the character, while Bhamini Oza, who plays Kasturba, portrayed her with strength and vulnerability. Pratik Gandhi has previously played the role of Mahatma Gandhi for over a decade on stage in his acclaimed play "Mohan No Masalo". He chose to avoid prosthetics in the series, focusing instead on authenticity and emotional truth.
Adding an international dimension to the cast is Tom Felton, best known for his role as Draco Malfoy in the "Harry Potter" films. Felton plays Josiah Oldfield, a close friend of young Gandhi during his time in London. Felton shared his excitement about the series on Instagram, referring to Pratik Gandhi as his "brother in arms". A.R. Rahman, who composed the music for the series, also posted a selfie with Felton, acknowledging his major role in the project. Felton said he relied on his "very wise in history" grandfather for preparing for the role, also doing a lot of reading and on-the-spot learning with Hansal Mehta.
Hansal Mehta, reflecting on the premiere, called it "historic and humbling," expressing pride in seeing Indian storytelling gain global recognition. He acknowledged the challenges the team faced, including visa delays, but emphasized that making it to Toronto felt like a victory. Mehta, whose breakthrough film "Shahid" premiered at TIFF in 2012, aims to inspire change through Gandhi's story, making it resonate globally.
The series is based on the books "Gandhi Before India" and "Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World" by historian Ramachandra Guha. Producer Sameer Nair approached Guha for the rights to his books in 2019, and the team decided to proceed with the project in 2021. Nair wanted to tell Gandhi's story in a long-form format with a talented team. Kabir Bedi, who plays Dadabhai Naoroji in the series, described it as one of the proudest experiences of his career, highlighting Naoroji's influence on Gandhi's early days in London.
