Gandhi Jayanti brought an intriguing Bollywood surprise as the makers of Gandhi And My Mother unveiled the first glimpses of Manoj Bajpayee as Mahatma Gandhi. Directed by Sudhir Mishra, the much-anticipated period film has created curiosity with its striking visuals and the transformation of Bajpayee into one of India’s most recognisable historical figures. The newly released pictures also feature veteran actress Waheeda Rehman, who plays Gandhi’s mother Putlibai, giving audiences an early look at the film’s carefully recreated period setting.
Produced by Narendra Hirawat’s NH Studioz and Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Mediaworks, Gandhi And My Mother is not being positioned as a conventional film that attempts to cover the entire life of Mahatma Gandhi. Instead, Sudhir Mishra’s film focuses on a lesser-known 21-day period from Gandhi’s later life around the time of India’s Independence. The makers appear to be taking a more intimate route, exploring the historical personality through a personal and human lens rather than limiting the story to the larger political events associated with him.
The biggest talking point from the first look is, of course, Manoj Bajpayee’s transformation into Gandhi. The actor appears almost unrecognisable in the newly unveiled images, with the physical appearance and styling designed to bring him closer to the historical figure. According to reports, Bajpayee underwent a significant physical transformation for the role and followed a restricted diet and lifestyle during the shoot. This marks his first portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi, adding another interesting chapter to his already diverse filmography.
Alongside Bajpayee, Waheeda Rehman’s presence makes the project even more special. The legendary actress will portray Putlibai, Gandhi’s mother, bringing a deeply personal relationship into the centre of the story. Divya Dutta and Saurabh Shukla are also part of the ensemble in pivotal roles. The film additionally reunites Bajpayee and Shukla, who have previously worked together, while bringing Rehman back to the big screen following her appearance in Skater Girl.
For director Sudhir Mishra, Gandhi And My Mother also carries a personal connection. The filmmaker has previously spoken about how his mother had met Gandhi as a child and how her memories and conversations about him remained with Mishra over the years. He had reportedly promised his mother before her death in 2022 that he would make a film on Gandhi. That personal history adds another layer to a project that is already attempting to look beyond the familiar historical portrait and explore the man behind the public image.
The decision to unveil the first pictures on Gandhi Jayanti makes the announcement particularly fitting, while the images have already sparked interest around Bajpayee’s appearance and the film’s period setting. With Sudhir Mishra at the helm and a cast featuring Manoj Bajpayee, Waheeda Rehman, Divya Dutta and Saurabh Shukla, Gandhi And My Mother promises to present a more intimate chapter from Gandhi’s life. The makers have yet to announce the film’s release date, but these first glimpses have certainly put the project on the radar of Bollywood audiences.