Gandhi, My Father

Story:

“Gandhi, My Father” is a 2007 Indian film directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, depicting the strained relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his son, Harilal Gandhi. The story unfolds with Harilal aspiring to study abroad and become a barrister, contrary to Gandhi’s hopes for him to join the fight for ideals in India.

When Gandhi denies Harilal the opportunity to study abroad, it deeply disappoints him. Harilal leaves South Africa for India, where he faces financial struggles and fails in his attempts to further his education. His wife Gulab returns to her parents’ house with their children, and tragically succumbs to a flu epidemic. Harilal, devastated, turns to alcohol for comfort and converts to Islam, later re-converting to a different Hindu sect.

As political tensions rise, the gap between Gandhi and Harilal widens, leading to an irreparable rift. Gandhi is assassinated before they can reconcile, and Harilal attends the funeral as a stranger, almost unrecognizable to those around him. Eventually, Harilal passes away alone and in poverty, unable to carve out his own identity.”