WHEN GANDHIJI SAW HIS FIRST AND ONLY FILM ,"RAM RAJYA"

Ali Peter John

Those were days when Gandhi was too much into the freedom movement and was the leader who was taking ever decision and he had no time for any other social or even literary activities and films were nowhere on the list of his priorities.

But there were filmmakers who wanted him to see their films because they considered it as a clever business proposal and also a blessing as he was known as the Mahatma.

The first to invite him to a show of their film, "Achhut Kanya" starring Ashok Kumar and Devika Rani who was one of the founders of Bombay Talkies and who was also known as the first lady of Indian cinema. The film was based on the problem of untouchability which was dear to Gandhiji's heart, but he declined the invitation.

The Bhatt brothers, Vijay Bhatt and Nana Bhai Bhatt (The father of Mahesh Bhatt) had made "Ram Rajya" based on the life of Ram and Sita and their times.

Shobhana Samarth (The mother of Nutan and Tanuja and the grandmother of Mohnish Bahl and Kajol) was playing Sita and Prem Adib was playing Ram. They had played the same roles in some other films too.

It was the well-known writer and journalist K.A Abbas who saw the film and was so touched that he wrote an open letter to Gandhiji telling him why he should see the film. The letter was so hard-hitting and moving that Gandhiji agreed to see the film.

He sat through the film and was very emotional. He congratulated the Bhatt brothers and walked out never to see another film again.

Little did he know that he would be the subject of several films, documentaries and Tv serials in the time to come.