Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara highlights the eclipse of Gandhian values in the present day Indian society through the story of a man (Anupam Kher) suffering from dementia. Anupam Kher plays the role of a retired Hindi professor of Bombay University; who forgets things, and gradually, his condition worsens. He imagines that he has been convicted for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi. Envisaging his house to be an encrusted jail, he refuses to eat anything fearing that he may be poisoned.
He is being treated by a psychiatrist, (Parvin Dabas) and his daughter, Urmila Matondkar takes care of him to the best her ability. Anupam's cousin played by Raju Kher provides the clue that as a child Anupam had accidentally pierced Gandhi's portrait with an arrow. Anupam's father was a staunch Gandhian, and he took it as bad omen. Gandhi was shot dead on the same evening. He beat up Anupam, and never spoke to him again. Parvin now devises a stage show for the treatment. A mock trial is arranged where it is proved that Anupam is not the killer of Gandhi. After the trial Anupam speaks aloud the message of the film, "We all are guilty of killing Gandhi, as we have forgotten his message."
The production values are good. Cinematographer Raaj A. Chakravarti has shown his competence in conveying the mood of the film. Bappi Lahiri's background score lifts up the movie. It is a different film with a brave effort, but the drawback being, the message of the film comes rather abruptly in the climax.
Performance-wise, Anupam Kher's portrayal of a dementia patient is absolutely remarkable. One can safely shelf his this role as the best role of his career so far. Urmila Matondkar again shows her class as a sensitive artiste. Parvin Dabas looks natural. Newcomer Addy also shows fresh talent. Waheeda Rehman leaves her mark in a brief role. Rajit Kapur, Boman Irani, Vishwas Pandya, Sudhir Joshi, Ram Mohan, Raju Kher and Ashok Pandit have all given commendable performances. As a director, Jahnu Barua has done an excellent job and truly justified his own script.
I like this movie.