Directed by: Amit Rai Producer by: Amit Chheda Starring: Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Pawan Malhotra Music Dir: Prem Hariya, Nitin Kumar Gupta [Watch Songs]
Mahatma Gandhi is an icon of the twentieth century and rightly deserves a lot of attention of movie producers. His life is the saga of India's freedom struggle, and posterity would remember him for his values and beliefs.
Hence, filmmakers have tried to depict different aspects of his life; so much so that even a movie was recently made and released on how the Mahatma fared as a father to his son! In that series, Gipsy Films presents from producer Amit Chheda a documentary-drama titled 'Road to Sangam' starring a competent cast of Paresh Rawal, Om Puri and Pavan Malhotra.
'Road to Sangam' is an attempt to applaud the true spirit of patriotism shown by a mechanic from a small town in India. He is Hashmat Ullah (played by Paresh Rawal) who lives in Allahabad, the city of the confluence aka Sangam of the three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati.
Hashmat is best known for his tremendous knowledge of old models of automobiles. Hashmat is Muslim. Though, he embodies and lives by the universal philosophy of "Live and Let Live". He treats all religions equal and is a man with a large heart.
'Road to Sangam' is based on a true story, though it has a mixture of fiction. Hashmat runs into one job of repairing an old V8 Ford Engine. He is not aware of the fact that the engine was once used for carrying the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi for immersion in the Sangam. At this time, Allahabad witnesses ugly Hindu- Muslim riots.
Since most of the mechanics belong to the Muslim community, they face interrogation by the police. Scared, the community goes on a protest. As a result, mechanics all over town down their shutters. Incidentally, few days later, a reporter meets with Hashmat and tells him the story of the engine he is repairing for the museum authorities.
Interestingly, the engine is being repaired to carry again a part of the ashes that someone left in a bank vault. Gandhiji's surviving successor Tushar Gandhi wishes to immerse these ashes in the Sangam. So, Hashmat feels it his duty to complete the job as a respect to the Mahatma and seeks permission to resume work in spite of the strike.
Hashmat's request is rejected by prominent community leaders, Mohammed Ali Kasuri played by Om Puri and Maulana Qureshi played by Pavan Malhotra. Hashmat is shocked and doesn't understand the logic of his community leaders in not allowing him to repair the engine.
He too fails to understand why religion has to interfere with work! With such a terrible turmoil within his heart and the communal riots outside, this man takes up the courage to put into practice Gandhiji's principle of doing what his heart says is right.
This incredible movie full of history and emotion definitely shows up some good acting. Among them, Javed Sheikh, who though hardly known, acts very well and shows signs of bright prospects. Debutant director and scriptwriter Amit Rai has done a stupendous job, and deserves acclaim.
The movie is released on the eve of the Mahatma's martyrdom day, January 30th. So, it could certainly attract big crowds of his followers during the weekend. Both Paresh Rawal and Om Puri deliver excellent performances, as usual. The music is spiritual and suits the movie and its theme. Some songs are good, indeed.
Directed by: Amit Rai
Mahatma Gandhi is an icon of the twentieth century and rightly deserves a lot of attention of movie producers. His life is the saga of India's freedom struggle, and posterity would remember him for his values and beliefs.
Hashmat is best known for his tremendous knowledge of old models of automobiles. Hashmat is Muslim. Though, he embodies and lives by the universal philosophy of "Live and Let Live". He treats all religions equal and is a man with a large heart. 
This incredible movie full of history and emotion definitely shows up some good acting. Among them, Javed Sheikh, who though hardly known, acts very well and shows signs of bright prospects. Debutant director and scriptwriter Amit Rai has done a stupendous job, and deserves acclaim.
