We have Feroz Khan - the baldie baddie; the ring-wielding, cigar-chomping, chick magnet magnate. We also have Feroze Abbas Khan, a theatre person who attempts to present the mortal side of an immortal moralist. And he chooses to do so with the help of Anil "Mr. India" Kapoor's money, and an unusual star-cast, the least obscure of which is Akshaye "underachiever" Khanna. The end result, though not exactly a masterpiece, comes within striking distance of being one.

The same director in his theatre days made a play on the same subject but based on just a single Gujarati source - that play was in the news for being overtly critical of the Mahatma; for the film, he decided to play safe and chose a middle path after referring much more literature. So we are shown a Barrister Gandhi (Darshan Jariwala) from his South Africa days, whose ideals drip over his entire family, to such an extent that they end up drenching his eldest son Harilal (Akshaye).

In trying to be a perfect Baapu for his countrymen, he fails miserably at successful parenting - he leaves Hari back in India in spite of bringing his wife (Kasturba; Shefali Shah) and 3 younger sons to apartheid country, doesn't approve his early marriage to Gulab (Bhoomika Chawla) despite himself having married at age 13, later calling him there only to make him assist his agitation, squashing his son's aspirations in the process. As expected, son breaks, but Baapu doesn't flinch, so son keeps drifting...

away, staying close to only his mommy while indulging in all forms of debauchery (booze and whoring being the prime examples) and religious conversions.

The lack of resolve on Hari's part on both professional and personal fronts is made very apparent by some brilliant acting by Akshaye, overshadowing other really good performances.

The cinematography also deserves special mention. The film is shot in a very Tarantino style - quick transitions playing around with the chronology - but in doesn't work in some parts. But the grainy B&W footage is rendered in a breathtaking fashion. It is a very difficult movie to watch, requiring patience and concentration, and not really something which you'll watch over and over again. But one viewing is compulsory.

Maybe back then, it was a norm to put country before your family; in the modern context, we can just breathe a sigh of relief that our Baapu isn't the Father of the Nation.