Harry Potter Star Tom Felton Joins Cast of Hansal Mehta’s “Gandhi” Series
News Mania desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/5th May 2024
Renowned “Harry Potter” actor Tom Felton has been confirmed to join the cast of Hansal Mehta’s highly anticipated series “Gandhi,” the filmmaker revealed on Thursday.
In addition to Felton, the ensemble cast includes seven other talented actors: Libby Mai, Molly Wright, Ralph Adeniyi, James Murray, Lindon Alexander, Jonno Davies, and Simon Lennon.
Mehta took to Instagram to express his excitement about directing this stellar international cast, sharing, “We’re in the thick of our shoot. Thrilled to be directing this stellar international cast – Tom Felton, Libby Mai, Molly Wright, Ralph Adeniyi, James Murray, Lindon Alexander, Jonno Davies, Simon Lennon #Gandhi #GandhiFilmingNow.”
In the series, Felton will portray Josiah Oldfield, Gandhi’s first and closest friend during his time studying law in London. Pratik Gandhi, who was previously announced in May 2022, will star as Mahatma Gandhi, with BhaminiOza, his real-life partner, portraying Kasturba Gandhi, the Mahatma’s wife.
Described as India’s response to “The Crown,” the period drama series is currently filming in Gujarat, India, with select scenes being shot in London. Applause Entertainment, headed by Sameer Nair, is producing the ambitious project.
“Gandhi” aims to narrate the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, much like “The Crown” explored the British royal family saga. It will delve into Gandhi’s formative years, his experiences as a lawyer in South Africa, and his pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence.
Based on Indian historian Ramachandra Guha’s biographies “Gandhi Before India” and “Gandhi – The Years that Changed the World,” the series promises to shed light on lesser-known aspects of Gandhi’s life and the contributions of his contemporaries to India’s freedom movement.
While specific production details remain undisclosed, the series is expected to span various Indian and international locations significant to Gandhi’s journey.
Applause Entertainment, known for its commitment to high-quality storytelling, acquired the rights to Guha’s comprehensive biographies to develop “Gandhi.” The studio’s business model typically involves creating premium content for Indian streaming platforms.
Despite the absence of a confirmed streaming platform, “Gandhi” has already generated buzz among international audiences and has been listed as one of the must-watch international TV dramas of 2024.
