New Delhi/Mumbai, Aug 3 (ANI): After mesmerizing its audience in Johannesburg, Bollywood's latest ode to Mahatma Gandhi, 'Gandhi, My Father', today released in theatres across the countrywide, and received a tremendous response.

The film based on a personal tragedy in the life Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, takes an intimate look at the poignant and tumultuous relationship he shared with his son Harilal Gandhi.

The film won rave reviews from its viewers who were left speechless after watching it.

"The movie was really good. I was very impressed by the acting. All the actors have done a superb job, especially Akshaye Khanna. His acting is fantastic," said Shyamli, a viewer.

The tagline of the film, 'To the people...he was a father, to his son...he was a father, he never had' aptly conveys the content and message that it is trying to put across to its audiences.

The film covering a period of about 50 years is based on letters written by the iconic leader to his son, and is a 'factual' and 'honest' account of the unexplored side of Mahatma Gandhi's life.

"It is a mainstream film which would touch people's hearts and will leave an impact on their minds. It is purely authentic. Its integrity lies in the fact that it has been made with an honest approach," said director of the film, Feroz Abbas Khan.

Set against the backdrop of racial discrimination in South Africa and India's struggle of freedom, the film portrays Gandhi more as father to the nation rather than a father to his children.

The movie shows how in the larger picture of Gandhi's dedication and service towards his nation, he overlooked the very vital existence of his family and children.

Starring Akshaye Khanna, Bhumika Chawla, Shefali Shah and veteran Darshan Jhariwala as Gandhi, the film is packed with powerful performances.

The film goes onto show how living in his father's shadow, Hiralal leads a life, complete anti-thesis to that of Gandhi.

How he roams on the streets of India like a beggar, converts to Islam as rebellion, reconverts to Hinduism as penance before finally drinking himself to death.

Akshaye Khanna, who plays Hiralal, describes the film as eye opener as it unfolded an entire new dimension of Gandhi's life.

"It is true that I also knew that much which is in general public knowledge. I had no clue about this story. When I read the script, I was shocked, I was surprised, I was moved, very emotionally moved that such a thing happened in the life of Mahatma Gandhi," he said.

Caught in the tussle between Mahatma Gandhi and Hiralal was Kasturba Gandhi, whose emotional conflict and mental agony forms an integral part of the film.

Actress Shefali Shah, who has won accolades for her performances in manyollywood movies, adds another feather to her cap with her soul-stirring portrayal of Kasturba or 'Ba', as she was popularly known.

"The point of doing this film, more than anything else was to be honest to the emotional intensity of each and every character in the film and I think that's what every actor's done. So, I don't think anybody's done a "performance, performance". If you see the film you will know what I am talking about. It's not a performance. It looks like you have looked into somebody's life at that point of time," said Shefali.

Made with an in-depth research and study on the director's part, the film was shot in South Africa and across several cities, including Mumbai and Ahmedabad. (ANI)