EXCLUSIVE: In May, we revealed Indian studio Applause Entertainment was deep in development on a big-budget drama series about independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, and the studio has now turned to a pair of familiar faces to supercharge the project.
Hansel Meh ta, who helmed Applause’s Sonali drama Scam in1992, has been named director and showrunner of Gandhi (working title) and Siddhartha Batu, who worked with Applause CEO Sameer Nair on the first seasons of India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (titled Kan Banana Crore pat), has joined as historical consultant, factual advisor and creative consultant. Gandhi will be a period drama set during the Indian Independence struggle and is billed as epic in scale, with multiple characters and locations from the Mahatma’s life featured. It is being adapted from historian and author Ramachandra GUA books Gandhi Before India and Gandhi — The Years That Changed the World — a pair of biographies that are among the most complete ever written about the iconic freedom fighter. Bass, known locally as ‘the Father of Indian television quizzing,’ has hosted several game show such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge and was the original director-producer of Kan Banana Crore pat through his BIG Synergy production vehicle. He is reuniting with Nair after 22 years — the Applause CEO commissioned the series in 2000 when he was program director at Star India. Basu, known locally as ‘the Father of Indian television quizzing,’ has hosted several gameshow such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge and was the original director-producer of Kaun Banega Crorepat through his BIG Synergy production vehicle. He is reuniting with Nair after 22 years — the Applause CEO commissioned the series in 2000 when he was program director at Star India.Basu, known locally as ‘the Father of Indian television quizzing,’ has hosted several game show such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge and was the original director-producer of Kaun Banana Crore pat through his BIG Synergy production vehicle. He is reuniting with Nair after 22 years — the Applause CEO commissioned the series in 2000 when he was program director at Star India.Basu, known locally as ‘the Father of Indian television quizzing,’ has hosted several gameshow such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge and was the original director-producer of Kaun Banega Crorepat through his BIG Synergy production vehicle. He is reuniting with Nair after 22 years — the Applause CEO commissioned the series in 2000 when he was program director at Star India.Mehta is known as one of Hindi cinema and TV’s leading directors, known for films such as Shahid, City Lights and Simran. He will creatively lead Gandhi, which is planned to run for multiple seasons and will detail Gandhi’s life and relationships with friends, colleagues and enemies akin to how The Crown has explored the British royal family. Notably, Mehta directed Gandhi lead Pratik Gandhi in Scam 1992, which is one of India’s highest-profile streaming hits.There comes a time in your life where you find a story that you want to tell that is something you realize will be a part of India’s storytelling history,” he said. “How could I stay away from the greatest character of modern India — the father of the nation — and Ramanchadra’s books that are so intricately researched with so much rich material? This my chance to explore the character and his world and tell a deep, personal story.”
“I have to tell the entire story,” he added. “There can be no greater opportunity in a filmmaker’s life and I cannot just tell half the story and let somebody else tell the rest.”
Basu, known locally as ‘the Father of Indian television quizzing,’ has hosted several gameshow such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge and was the original director-producer of Kaun Banega Crorepat through his BIG Synergy production vehicle. He is reuniting with Nair after 22 years — the Applause CEO commissioned the series in 2000 when he was program director at Star India.
You must be logged in to post a comment.