With Bollywood struggling to break out of its seemingly endless repetitious films, they have maybe found one way to do it as the hit “Lage Raho Munna Bhai,” has taken India by storm.
It's a comedy about a gangster, disc jockey and, of all people, Mahatma Gandhi. It has surged to become of the biggest hits of the year, and initiated a renewed interest in Mahatma Gandhi and his life and teachings.
“We forgot that man all these years, and everything went haywire,” said Varsha Das, director of the Gandhi National Museum. “I very strongly feel there is absolutely no other way to change society but through Gandhi. We have reached the peak of the mountain, as far as violence and corruption are concerned.”
Vidya Balan
Along with a renewed interest, and at least a temporary embracing of his teachings, Indians are starting nonviolent protests across India, creating Web sites and handing out roses to their enemies.
Some critics believe that it is just another Bollywood fad that will be over before the year is finished. Some of India's newspapers have also asked if Gandhi is relevant in the modern world anymore; as his message of sacrifice and simplicity isn't readily embraced by most Indians.
The movie has also spawned a new Web site called, Gandhigiri, created to inspire Gandhi-like campaigns across the country.
Comment Preview