Gandhi: A Father

I have absolutely no idea why am I writing it, but I feel something forcing me to do so. No no.. Its not about any political or religious issue. It’s about a movie. It’s about story of a father and his relation with his son. It is a story of a father who considers whole world as his family and anyone who comes after his generation as his child. Yes, you guessed right. It is about Gandhi My Father.

I went to see that movie because I am interested in Gandhi, both in positive and negative aspects. And I like him as a philosopher as much as I hate him as a human being (read freedom fighter). The movie shows the life of Harilal Gandhi, son of barrister Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. And not to forget, this movie contains scenes which happen to be the favorite incidences of Mr. Tridip Shurud as far as life of Gandhi is concerned.

Gandhi may be the father of the nation, but he could never become a good father. And when Harilal says that “he is the greatest father one can ever have, but I don’t like him as a father”, the audience is compelled to think if Gandhi was right in what he did to his own son. Everyone knows that Harilal wanted to become a barrister like Gandhi. That’s why he went to South Africa. And during the phoenix settlement was his home; Gandhi had opportunities to send him to England for the study of barrister; not once but twice. But he chose to send Chhaganlal in the first instance; who ran away from his studies in 2 weeks and for the second time he sent someone else. Was it because he didn’t trust his own son? Or was it because he wanted to become great? Because both of the times, his selections seemed to be wrong. Harilal was a much better candidate than both of them. And then when he demands to go back to India, Gandhi won’t let him.

So was Harilal wrong when he chose to become a Muslim when he had no money to pay for house rent and Muslims told him that they will do so if he converts to Islam? Was he wrong when he not liked his father? He was a human being, a normal human being. He loved his mother. But the betrayal by his father led him to nowhere.

And finally his life ended six months after the death of his father in an absolutely pitiable condition. And there was no one to claim his dead body. This movie really makes you think that is it sufficient to be a great man in life? Or is it easy to be a great man? Moreover, is it easy to be son of a great man? Everyone is free to make his own decision about this and everyone is correct according to his point of view. These are some questions which have no correct answer and every answer given to these is correct.

So go watch the movie and enjoy it. A must watch for every Indian.

(Azaad)