Gandhi is an upcoming Indian biographical historical drama television series created and directed by Hansal Mehta. Produced by Applause Entertainment, the series depicts the life of Mahatma Gandhi, based on the books Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha. The series is planned to span three seasons. Production for the first season began in January 2024, with its release expected in early 2025.
| Gandhi | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Historical drama |
| Created by | Hansal Mehta |
| Based on | Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World by Ramachandra Guha |
| Directed by | Hansal Mehta |
| Starring | Pratik Gandhi |
| Music by | A. R. Rahman |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original languages | Gujarati Hindi English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | |
| Production company | |
Premise
editThe series is expected to cover significant aspects of Gandhi's life, including his early work in South Africa to his role as the Father of the Nation in India's independence movement.[1]
Cast
edit- Pratik Gandhi as Mahatma Gandhi
- Bhamini Oza as Kasturba Gandhi
- Tom Felton as Josiah Oldfield[2]
- Amar Upadhyay
- Libby Mai
- Harry Mckeown
- R Badree
- Molly Wright
- Ralph Adeniyi
- James Murray
- Lindon Alexander
- Jonno Davies
- Simon Lennon
- Jaival Pathak as young Harilal Gandhi
Production
editDevelopment
editIn May 2022, Applause Entertainment were reported to be working on a biographic multi-series television series on Mahatma Gandhi, with a working title of Gandhi, dubbed "India's The Crown after they acquired the rights to the Ramachandra Guha biographies Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World.[3]
In July 2022, Hansal Mehta, was named director and showrunner with Siddhartha Basu named as historical consultant, factual advisor and creative consultant.[4] The series is written by Vaibhav Vishal, Hema Gopinathan, Sehaj Maini, Karan Vyas, Felix Von Stumm and Yashna Malhotra. Guha, Basu and ScriptUp Studio serve as script advisers. Mukesh Chhabra serves as casting director in India and Shakyra Dowling is an international casting director. Shashank Tere heads production design. Pia Benegal has designed the costumes. Pratham Mehta is a head cinematographer.[5]
The series is expected to be produced with a worldwide audience in mind.[6] Filming is expected to take place in Gujarati, Hindi and English for authenticity.[3]
The first season will have eight episodes with 60 minute each. It will cover first 45 years of Gandhi's life including him as a law student in London and as a lawyer and activist in South Africa.The next two seasons will cover the rest of his life.[7]
Casting
editIn May 2022, Pratik Gandhi was cast in the lead role.[8] He has previously played Gandhi in Manoj Shah’s Gujarati play Mohan No Masalo.[9] Speaking about his casting, he was quoted as saying it was “important” and “one of the biggest of my life”, adding that he was “I am very inspired by…his simplicity. I have seen people around me adapt to simplicity and I am most inspired by that.”[10][11] Pratik Gandhi's wife Bhamini Oza plays Kasturba, wife of Mahatma Gandhi in the series.[7] In 2024, Tom Felton joined the series.[2] Libby Mai, Molly Wright, Ralph Adeniyi, James Murray, Lindon Alexander, Jonno Davies Simon Lennon and , Priyansh Bajaj joined the cast in April 2024.[12]
Filming
editThe series officially entered production in India in January 2024.[13] Filming locations are also set to include South Africa and the UK.[14][15] It was shot at locations in Gujarat.[16] The shooting of season 1 is expected to be completed by July 2024 and expected to release in early 2025.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Series on Mahatma Gandhi with Ramachandra Guha, Pratik Gandhi in development". Times of India. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ a b "'Harry Potter' Star Tom Felton on Playing Gandhi's Vegetarian Friend in New Series and Life After Draco Malfoy: 'Even Without the Blonde Hair,' Fans 'Still Seem to Recognize Me'". Variety. 2 May 2024.
- ^ a b Whittock, Jesse (18 May 2022). "The Indian 'Crown': Applause Entertainment Adapting Gandhi Biographies From Historian Ramachandra Guha Into Multi-Season Drama Series; Pratik Gandhi Cast As Famous Namesake". Desdline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (27 July 2022). "Applause Entertainment Reunites With 'Scam 1992' Director Hansal Mehta And Siddhartha Basu As 'Gandhi' Drama Series Takes Shape". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (2 May 2024). "Tom Felton Joins Hansal Mehta Series 'Gandhi' As British Friend Of Indian Nonviolent Resistance Icon; James Murray Among Other International Cast". Deadline. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Layton, Mark (19 May 2022). "India's Applause preps multi-season Mahatma Gandhi drama epic". tbivision.com. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Ramachandran, Naman (2 May 2024). "Pratik Gandhi, Hansal Mehta, Sameer Nair on 'Gandhi' Series: 'We Treat Him as a Character, Not as God, Nor as a Demon'". Variety. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Jha, Subhash K (19 May 2022). "Pratik Gandhi to play Mahatma Gandhi in Applause Entertainment's web series". National Herald India. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Hansal Mehta and Pratik Gandhi to Start Filming soon for Web Series based on Mahatma Gandhi". Filmconoanion.in. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Pratik Gandhi to Start Filming soon for Web Series based on Mahatma Gandhi". City Air News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Pratik Gandhi Opens Up About Playing Mahatma In Web Series 'Gandhi'". Outlook India. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Yount, Stacey (2 May 2024). "Hansal Mehta brings together incredible cast for Gandhi, including Tom Felton!". BollySpice.com - The latest movies, interviews in Bollywood. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (19 January 2024). "Gandhi': Hansal Mehta & Applause Entertainment's Expansive Biopic Series Begins Production In India". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max; Whittock, Jesse (24 December 2023). "From 'Doctor Who' To 'The Count Of Monte Cristo': Deadline's 15 Buzzy International TV Dramas To Look Out For In 2024". Desdline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Hansal Mehta to commence filming on series 'Gandhi' later this year". New India Express. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "'Gandhi': Hansal Mehta & Applause Entertainment's Expansive Biopic Series Begins Production in India". 19 January 2024.