Controversial Hollywood director has tapped Kal Penn to play the role of Mahatma Gandhi in his new production. [link]
When Oliver Stone was presented with the script of MKG, he was stuck with the unenviable task of finding someone to play Indian leader, Gandhi. MKG stands for Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known an Mahatma Gandhi. Stone wanted an established Hollywood star, but someone who would resemble the Indian freedom fighter, who preached non-violence.
Then Stone stumbled upon his lead star while watching “The Namesake”.
“I love Indian culture. I saw Kal shave his head and his great performance in a serious role. That pretty much sealed the deal for me.”, said Stone, whose movie JFK, also featured an elaborate assassination plot. MKG is set in the background of Gandhi’s assassination and the underlying sub plots.
Gandhi was shot to death by, Nathuram Godse, a hardline Hindu nationalist. But MKG focuses on a different angel.
Even though Gandhi fell victim to the bullets of a religious extremists, Oliver Stone’s movie alleges a deeper conspiracy, a political conspiracy, one in which other Indian leaders of that time, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and home minister, Vallabhai Patel, are shown as being involved.
The motive? Pakistan.
Says Stone, “Even members of the ruling party viewed Gandhi’s view for financial support to Pakistan as unfavorable. Nehru, on a personal note, was not happy with Gandhi having lectured him on an affair with a married woman (Mrs. Mountbatten).”
This angle predictably has come under sharp criticism in India where members of the Congress party are calling for a ban already.
“This movie depicts our great leaders in a bad light”, said Mr. Krishnan Iyer, M.B.A, M.M.S, M.S.C.S, D.D.L.J, a spokesman and up and coming member of the ruling Congress party. “We will oppose the release of this film both in India and USA. We will take director Oliver Stone to court.”
Surprisingly, members of both the ruling and opposition parties are up in arms.
“This movie depicts our Hindu religion and Indian culture in a bad light”, said Mr. Amar Prem, a spokesman and up and coming member of the opposition BJP party. The BJP is opposed to the assassination scene in particular where Stone alleges Gandhi did not utter the words “Hey Ram”. Ram is a popular Hindi god. “We will oppose the release of this film both in India and USA. We will take director Oliver Stone to court.”
Predictably, other desi stars are also expected to feature in this movie
The movie centers around a DM (district magistrate) in New Delhi who uncovers a deeper plot in the assassination of Gandhi. The protagonists roles is expected to be played by another Namesake star, Irrrrrrrrrfan Khan, and Bollywood megastar, Aishwarya Rai has been approached to play the role of Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba.
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