CHENNAI: Anna Hazare watched Welcome Back Gandhi, a film directed by A Balakrishnan, at the Four Frames preview theatre here on Sunday.
The film, which revolves around how Gandhi would react to the India of today if he returned, is the dubbed version of the Tamil film Mudhalvar Mahatma.
At 11.30 am, Anna arrived at the Four Frames, to watch the film. Negotiating his way through scores of swarming volunteers and the media (nearly 50 cameras and over 20 reporters waited outside to catch a glimpse of Anna and pose a few questions), Anna made his way into the theatre along with his colleagues Kiran Bedi, Santhosh Hegde and Dinesh Wagela.
The one-and-a-half hour film was cut short to 45 minutes for Anna, as he had to rush to a press conference.
Balakrishnan told Express that he had been inspired by the work of Anna. The director said he wanted the film to be first screened to only Anna as he was the right person to take the Mahatma’s message to the masses.
Though Anna remained silent after watching the film, Balakrishnan said he hoped to get a good review from the Gandhian. “He hasn’t said anything yet about the film. I’m hoping to meet him again.”
The climax of the film, where Gandhi addresses youngsters on how they should take charge of power and change the world, definitely seemed like one of the scenes enjoyed by Anna.
The Gandhian was seen nodding for every single dialogue in the climax.