Film brings out Gandhi in youth
Bharti Dubey I TNN
Mumbai: Films with a political message have managed to stir people into affirmative action this year. Rang De Basanti inspired youths to join the campaign for justice in the Jessica Lall case; then came Lage Raho Munnabhai which has helped many to awaken the Gandhi in them.
A group of professionals and some students in Mumbai have now come together to form âLage Raho Munnabhai Fan Clubâ to promote the Mahatmaâs message of peace and justice. A Pushottam, who works for a nationalised bank in Navi Mumbai, is the one who took the initiative by bringing the group together. âThere are ways to resolve issues without using violence and our clubâs intention will be to do it through Gandhigiri,ââ he said in a reference to the filmâs popular take on Gandhian values.
Fellow member Pradeep Mhatre, who is also a bank employee, said what inspired him was the simplicity with which the film conveyed the message of peace and justice. âMedha Patkar and Anna Hazare have been following Gandhian values to fight for peopleâs rights, but many have not been able to understand them. Raju Hirani through his film has managed to do it in a very simple manner,ââ he said.
Mhatre said he had SMSed about 40 people to watch the film. Mhatre, who is also associated with social organisations, said the film leaves a powerful impact with a clear message against superstition. âWhat the Anddha Shradha Nirmulan Sanstha couldnât do, Munnabhai has managed by proving the astrologer wrong in the film.ââ
Raju Hirani, the director of the film, said he was more than happy to know that his movie had inspired people to form a club for social work. âItâs very easy to discard Gandhian values saying it does not work, but it is a very difficult path to follow. One has to give up his ego. Just the other day somebody told me about the secretary of a housing society who was harassing the members. First they used to fight with him, but now they have started sending him flowers, and the man is embarrassed today.ââ Hirani said, âI donât think cinema can change the world, but this film has definitely made an impact on some people in society.ââ
Stage actor Surendra Rajan, who has been credited with playing Gandhi the maximum number of times onscreen, said, he was quite impressed to hear about these people âand I would want to be part of the club.ââ
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Publication:Times of India Mumbai; |
Date:Sep 19, 2006; |
Section:Times City; |
Page Number:9 |