Following the huge success of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, an eight-part online series from India will focus on the life of Mahatma Gandhi prior to his meteoric rise to prominence. Gandhi, dubbed as the politician’s “origin story,” is reportedly under production and will focus on the politician’s early adult years in South Africa and London, according to Deadline.
Under the auspices of Applause Entertainment, Hansal Mehta is directing and Sameer Nair is executive producing the multi-series project. The role of the titular Gandhi has been given to Indian actor Pratik Gandhi of Scam 1992. Tom Felton, who played Josiah Oldfield in Harry Potter, who befriended Gandhi in London for a long time, will accompany him.
“We are pursuing a narrative of exploration,” filmmaker Mehta declared. We frequently overlook the value of reflecting on oneself, owning up to your shortcomings, and learning from them. The main takeaway from Gandhi’s first thirty years is that.
Nair continued in a similar manner, pointing out that although a great deal of Gandhi’s life has already been thoroughly documented, there is still plenty that is “important to history” that has to be learned. “We’re doing an eight-part series, and Richard Attenborough’s [1982] movie covers [his life] in 15 minutes,” he stated.
Nair, who is Indian, made a suggestion that the crew felt obligated to portray Gandhi’s life in a way that had never been seen on screen. “We’re doing something as big and complicated as a filmmaking nation for the first time,” he said. Gandhi is the most significant Indian, thus it’s a really essential tale to convey. Although name awareness is at our benefit, we still need to explain Superman’s origin story.
As per Applause Entertainment’s economic strategy, the production is not yet associated with any streaming platform or network. Nair did, however, disclose that he had sent early video to US studios, streamers, and networks—a move the firm has never made previously. He stated, “Many of them provided us with written feedback, which was really helpful.”
Felton, who is best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, expressed his excitement about joining the project. “It was a temporary relief that Gandhi found someone that cared about vegetarianism as much as he did,” Felton stated in reference to his persona. They were close friends and idealistic individuals who had a same bond.
Gandhi revealed that he was honored to be chosen for the part in a series after years of performing as his namesake on stage. He said, “It’s a dream, both on stage and screen.” “I’ve been practicing this role on stage for years,” I keep saying. As to Pinkvilla, Gandhi’s spouse and fellow actress Bhamini Oza would accompany him, assuming the role of his on-screen spouse, Kasturba.
The first season of the program is based on Gandhi Before India, a nonfiction book written by Indian historian and journalist Ramachandra Guha. Gandhi – The Years that Changed the World, Guha’s second book about Gandhi, which covers his life until his assassination in 1948, will serve as the basis for seasons two and three. Nair mentioned that Applause Entertainment has not yet obtained the rights to the narrative, but that a third Guha book, India After Gandhi, would offer further material.
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