Anupam Kher and Urmilla Matondkar, accompanied by director Jahnu Barua, paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi [Images], seeking his blessings before the release of Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara next week.

They arrived at Gandhi's Samadhi well before time and walked in to lay white wreaths at 5.17 p.m -- the time the Mahatma was shot by Nathuram Godse in 1948 as he was going for his evening prayers. They also lit a brass lamp at the Samadhi.

Later, speaking to newsmen who had arrived at the venue in large numbers, Kher said that they had come to Mahatma to pay homage and seek his blessings. "In the present day, his teachings are far more relevant than ever before. People armed with guns and explosives are seeking the independence that Mahatma managed through non-violence," he said.

Kher claimed that the film has been approved by the censor board without a cut. "There were seven of them and, after seeing the film, all agreed it was brilliant. I must compliment our director Barua, who also wrote the script, for doing a good job," he added.

Urmilla said that, right from childhood, she had been impressed by Gandhi's teaching and had tried to imbibe them in her life. "I am delighted to be part of the film," she said.

Barua, in a brief conversation, said that he started writing the film ten years ago and couldn't find a financer. He approached Anupam Kher [Images] to act as the teacher initially but, because of lack of funds, Kher eventually became the director. "This film was to be produced by NFDC. But they expressed their helplessness and I chipped it to save it because I didn't want Barua's efforts to go wasted. Once I was there, I gave the script to Urmilla and asked her to read it. She called from Allahabad to say that the role of teacher's daughter was suited to her," Kher narrated.

Urmilla complimented the director as well, for making his cast work without feeling that they were actually shooting a film.

Text: Onkar Singh in New Delhi | Photograph: Sondeep Shankar