The Gujarati children's film Gandhi & Co has picked up one more award, the Golden Slipper for Best Feature Film at the Zlin Film Festival in the Czech Republic.
The feature film is produced by Mahesh Danannavar under his banner MD Media Corp and directed by Manish Sani. The director of the SIFFCY Film Festival, Jitendra Mishra, received the Golden Slipper on behalf of the film's team.
Czech actress Jitka Cvancarova, who was part of the international jury, said, “We are awarding the main prize to a movie that is full of truth and love, which is human. The movie brings to the spectators, to the children as well as to the adults, with a good dose of humour, without unnecessary or compulsive clichés, the most important values that our whole world needs.”
Producer Danannavar was overjoyed with the global recognition the film was receiving. “Children's films in India are sporadically made even though we have such a treasure trove of historical figures and stories that can impart both entertainment and subliminal life lessons,” he shared.
“Gandhi & Co is very close to my heart because it very simply shows how Gandhian values can transform us from within. This award is a vindication of the faith I had in this film and I'm feeling very proud and encouraged today.”
The film’s director Saini added, “This is a memorable landmark for me. I feel a sense of encouragement to learn that a film is received so warmly irrespective of the language and culture it presents. It is a proud moment for me to represent Gujarati cinema at such a prestigious event. I am hopeful and excited for my journey forward.”
The Gujarati film was premiered at the Bengaluru International Film Festival, where it won the second-best Indian film award. The film follows two young boys Mintoo and Mitra who find learning about the Father of Nation in school very tedious. When their friend, Bharat Bhai, tells them that Bapu is actually the country's superhero that they start getting interested in Gandhi.
Soon enough, the boys begin to feel the influence of Gandhian values in their lives. They learn that Gandhi is not just a figure they can dress up as in a fancy dress competition but is a way of life.