National Award-winning filmmaker Hansal Mehta and actor Pratik Gandhi are set to reunite for a drama series on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Applause Entertainment announced on Thursday. Mehta had earlier directed Pratik in the SonyLIV series Scam 1992.
In an Instagram post, Applause Entertainment said, “We are collaborating, again! Hansal Mehta to direct our most ambitious show - Gandhi. The multi-season show is based on books by the historian Ramachandra Guha. Our CEO Sameer Nair is reuniting with Siddhartha Basu after 22 years of the cult show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Basu will play a significant role as a historical & creative consultant.”
Siddhartha Basu, who worked with Applause CEO Sameer Nair on the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (based on the American reality show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?), has joined as a historical consultant, factual advisor and creative consultant.
Mehta, who helmed Applause’s hit SonyLIV series Scam 1992, has previously directed acclaimed films like Aligarh, Shahid, CityLights and Omerta. “In my 25th year of making films and telling stories, this is perhaps THE defining story in my life as a filmmaker. A big privilege and huge responsibility. And of course a joy to be reunited with some of my most favourite collaborators,” he wrote on Instagram.
“When you speak of a historic and iconic figure like Mahatma Gandhi, there is already a great deal of responsibility on you as a filmmaker. Our vision with the series is to make it as true-to-life as possible. Supported by Ramachandra Guha’s work, we are confident and enthusiastic that we will bring audiences something to remember,”the statement read.
The big-budget drama series is based on Indian historian and author Ramachandra Guha’s two non-fiction books — Gandhi before India and Gandhi: The Years that Changed the World.
Pratik, who will play Gandhi in the upcoming series, said on Instagram, “I can’t be happier than this. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. Can’t wait to get started!”
Applause Entertainment also revealed that Gandhi will be filmed extensively in several Indian and foreign locations.
