The film is based on Gandhian Scholar, Chandulal Dalal's book, Harilal Gandhi: A Life. Director Feroz Abbas Khan, had already made the same into a successful play "Mahatma vs. Gandhi" earlier. He now attempts to recreate the same magic with the feature film version.

Harilal (Akshaye Khanna) is a follower of his father Mahatma Gandhi's (Darshan Jariwala) ideals, but when his father denies him the opportunity to study law in Great Britain, a rift is formed between the two. Consequently, Harilal spends years roaming the streets like a beggar, converts to Islam as an act of rebellion, converts back to Hinduism as penance, and finally drinks himself to death.

'Gandhi My Father' is far from a biopic portrayal of Gandhi's struggle towards India's independence. The film is a powerful depiction of the nature and sufferings of the patriarchal relationship between one of the world's most loved figures - 'Mahatma' Gandhi - and his eldest son Harilal. It brings to light an unknown facet of the personal history of a man who transformed the soul of a nation, but who could not save the soul of his own son. Delving deep into the personal tragedy that Gandhi kept secret from the world, Feroz Khan's filmic tour de force focuses on the doomed relationship between a father respected by an entire nation, but rebuked by a son!

Though the film has many loopholes in the script and a lot of things remain unexplained, it is nevertheless emotionally engaging, even relentless. It also manages to be fair to both Gandhi and Harilal. The screenplay builds the film up as a clash between values, convictions, and family aspirations.

Performances of all the principal characters are superlative, be it Akshaye Khanna as Harilal, Darshan Jariwala as Mahatma Gandhi, Shefali Shah as Kasturba Gandhi and Bhumika Chawla as Harilal's wife, Gulab.

Cinematography by David Macdonald's is excellent. The production design by Nitin Chandrakant Desai is very good, as he effectively recreates the ambience of that era. Piyush Kanojia's background score is very appropriate and costumes by Sujata Sharma are good.

The 128-minute film is written and directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and he does a good job of it. Producer Anil Kapoor, deserves full points for such a brave attempt, in his debut film as producer (though he has produced before in partnership with Satish Kaushik).

This film is definitely a must watch.

(*** 1/2) Three and half stars