Manish Saini’s Gujarati film Gandhi & Company named Second Best Indian Feature at Bengaluru film festival

The Gujarati feature film Gandhi & Company, directed by Manish Saini, has won the Second Best Indian Feature award at the 13th Bengaluru International Film Festival.

Gandhi & Company was among 200 films from 55 countries at the 13th edition of the festival, which was organized by the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) for the state government.

The festival is accredited with the International Federation of Film Producers Association (FIAPF).

The light-hearted comedy film follows Gandhian values of honesty and harmony and narrates the coming-of-age family drama in an entertaining way. It stars Darshan Jariwala, Reyaan Shah, Hiranya Zinzuwadia, Jayesh More, Druma Mehta, Sharad Vyas and Dhyani Jani.

Produced by Mahesh Danannavar, Gandhi & Company was chosen for the Film Bazaar Recommends 2021 and was the only Gujarati film to be selected for this year’s festival edition.

Writer-director Saini had earlier received the National award for his debut Dhh (2018), another children’s film which revolved around three schoolmates who get inspired by a magician to do better at their studies.

He shared his happiness at being recognized at the festival, saying, “We are busy in giving meaningful content to society and we are happy our efforts are being recognized at the festival. We hope that more and more people will watch the film and appreciate it.”

Danannavar, who has produced the Gujarati hit film Shu Thayu? (2018), said, “It’s my honour to receive an award from the governor of Karnataka. Being from Bengaluru and winning an award for a Gujarati film where I belong means a lot to me.”

Danannavar and Saini received the award from governor Thawar Chand Gehlot earlier this week.

Actor Darshan Jariwala, who is part of the film's ensemble cast, said, “This was the first international film festival for Gandhi & Company and winning an award is a very special moment for all of us.”

Renowned magician and actor KS Ramesh, who was part of the festival jury, added, “This is wonderful cinema which brings back lots of nostalgia and childhood memories. I loved the film and enjoyed every scene. This film is brilliantly made and I congratulate the entire team for its efforts.”

The makers of Gandhi & Company are now planning to take the Gujarati film to other festivals around the world.

Aditya Kripalani’s Not Today, Biswajeet Bora’s God On The Balcony and Aimee Baruah's Semkhor also picked up key awards at the festival which ended recently.

Correction, 14 March 2022: An earlier version of this report cited the film's name as Gandhi & Co. and said it had been adjudged Best Indian Feature at Bengaluru. The film's correct title is Gandhi & Company and it won the Second Best Indian Feature award.