'I'm pleased with Hirani's Gandhigiri,' says Gandhi's grandson(INTERVIEW)

Mumbai, March 19 If Gandhigiri in Rajkumar Hirani's 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' was profusely applauded by both audiences and critics, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi is equally proud of the film, which he says has introduced the new generation to Bapu and his ideology.

'For today's generation Bapu would have been a forgotten factor if he didn't have his photographs on currency notes. More than Bapu, this film shows the power of satyagraha. Many people thought it was possible only during British rule,' Tushar told IANS in an interview.

This Gandhi scion also feels that Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Swades' epitomizes Gandhi's values. 'Unfortunately, it didn't get the box office success it deserved. It should have been less sermonising and more humorous. I told Gowariker that 'Swades' should be shown in every educational institution.'

Commenting upon Anil Kapoor's 'Mahatma Versus Gandhi', about the tensed relationship between Bapu and his son Harilal, Tushar said: 'It's a very tragic episode in the life of Bapu and the family. But nevertheless authentic. Such humanisation is important.'

Excerpts:

Q: What do you feel about the revival of Gandhism through a film like 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai'?

A: These are very timely and appropriate works. I'd also like to include Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Swades'. The film epitomises Gandhi's values. Unfortunately, it was like a documentary. It didn't get the box office success it deserved. It should have been less sermonising, more humorous. I told Gowariker that 'Swades' should be shown in every educational institution.

Q: What did you think of the way Mahatma Gandhi has been portrayed in 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai'?

A: It's almost as if a new generation has discovered Bapu. For today's generation Bapu would have been a forgotten factor if he didn't have his photographs on currency notes. More than Bapu, this film shows the power of satyagraha. Many people thought it was possible only during British rule.

Q: Do you think turning the other cheek is a good option in these times?

A: Not when you are dealing with global terrorism. But in normal day-to-day living I think satyagraha still works. See how much violence has grown in our lives. For society dealing internally with strife, non-violence is a viable option. Let me point out here that even Bapu knew the limits of satyagraha.

When aggression happened in Kashmir Bapu didn't go on his fast-unto-death. Instead, he endorsed the military attack as the dharma of army. Satyagraha wasn't a dogma for him. Otherwise Bapu wouldn't have condoned socialist violence during the Quit India movement. He agreed violence and counter-violence were equally relevant.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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