Gandhi (1982) is a multi-award-winning biopic film about the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi. The film has been directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Sir Ben Kingsley as Gandhi, a role for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.Gandhi was an international co-production between production companies in India and the UK.
Synopsis
The film begins with Gandhi's assassination and funeral on January 30, 1948. After an evening prayer, an elderly Gandhi is helped out for his evening walk to meet a large number of admirers. One of these visitors shoots him point blank in the chest. Gandhi exclaims, "Hey Ram!" (" Praise Lord Ram"), and then falls dead. The film then cuts to a huge procession at his massive funeral, which is attended by dignitaries from around the world.
The early life of Gandhi is neither seen nor mentioned. Instead, the story flashes back to a life-changing event: in 1893, Gandhi is thrown off a South African train for being a "colored" man and traveling in a first class compartment, even though he had a valid ticket. Gandhi realizes that the laws are biased against Indians and decides to start a non-violent protest campaign for the rights of all Indians in South Africa. After numerous arrests and the unwanted attention of the world, the government finally relents by recognizing rights for Indians, though not for the native blacks of South Africa.
After this victory, Gandhi is invited back to India, where he is now considered something of a national hero. He is urged to take up the fight for India's independence from Britain. Gandhi agrees, and mounts a non-violent, non-cooperation campaign on an unprecedented scale, bringing together millions of Indians nationwide. There are some setbacks, such as violence against the protesters and Gandhi's occasional imprisonment.
Nevertheless, the campaign generates great attention, and Britain faces intense public pressure. Too weak from World War II to continue enforcing its will in India, Britain finally grants India its independence. Indians celebrate this victory, but their troubles are far from over. Religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims erupt into nation-wide violence. Gandhi declares a hunger strike, saying he will not eat until the fighting stops.
The fighting does stop eventually, but the country is divided. Gandhi is opposed to the idea, but it is carried out nevertheless.
Gandhi spends his last days trying to bring about peace between the two nations; however these actions anger many dissidents on both sides, one of whom finally gets close enough to assassinate him.
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