The making of the American Gandhi

 

AHMEDABAD: Joseph Mungra's Gujarati has a strong Saurashtrian twang, giving you no indication that this Hollywood filmmaker was brought up in Seattle.

His farmer father had migrated to the US from Rampur village in Jamnagar when he was young. But Joseph's heart is still in Gujarat and is now discreetly shooting his pet project 'American Gandhi' here. The film's lead role is played by James Patrick Stuart, a star of a number of TV serials, like CSI.

Joseph says the plot is about how India needs another Gandhi and this time he is coming from the US. "It is about how people from abroad come here and make a mess of things in their pursuit for wealth," he said.

'American Gandhi's' plot revolves around Mark Martin, played by Stuart, who is a skilled but unemployed mining analyst. His billionaire friend sends him on a job to India to manage and upgrade metal mines. Corruption, blatant disregard for law and uncooperative local population put him in an ethical dilemma - to follow success or serve the poor. The story is set in the backdrop of a nomadic tribe of Gujarat and tells of the hardships faced by villagers in India.

Tell him the villages of Gujarat are well-off compared to other parts of the country and he says in chaste Gujarati, "I know exactly how poor my village is. You have all the facilities in urban areas and you can't even get drinking water in the villages. I came back to Gujarat for the film because it is my home."

Part of the film has been shot near Mandvi in Kutch with a mixed crew from Americans and locals. At present, he is busy shooting in villages of Holmadh and Jalsika near Wankaner.

Mungra has worked on various Hollywood films in different positions including 'Something Wicked', which he had scripted.

The film starred well-known actress Brittany Murphy of hits like 'Clueless', 'Just Married', 'Girl Interrupted', 'Uptown Girls' and 'Happy Feet' and was released after her death.

Wankaner prince joins BJP

RAJKOT, Date :- 20/06/2011 : Kesridevsinh Zala, 28, yuvraj of erstwhile princely state of Wankaner in Rajkot district, on Sunday joined BJP in the presence of chief minister Narendra Modi at the royal palace. On Sunday, over 18 royal families of Saurashtra region felicitated Modi for the development work he has carried out.

Kesridevsinh Zala's father Digvijaysinh Zala has been a Congress leader and was a Union environment minister. However, he is not active in politics since the past few years. The felicitation memento describes various schemes and works carried out by the Modi government and praises him for Vibrant Gujarat summits. It says that "people want you (Modi) to be a prime minister and we wish you to achieve this as you are a 'rajpurush'".

While welcoming Modi, Shivbhadrasinhji Gohil of erstwhile princely state of Bhavnagar, described the definition of 'kshatriya' and said, "I would say that in my opinion, there are two kshatriyas by their karma. One was Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel and the other is Narendra Modi." Gohil said, "Royal families have been pro-people in their rule and have provided best examples of development."

"This is the first time that the chief minister and royals from the princely states from across the region got together. Modi's work has been inspirational for many and is model one," said Digvijaysinh Zala. "Modi has been doing a good job and under his able leadership the state has achieved new heights of progress," said Kesridevsinh Zala.

Modi welcomed Zala to BJP and said times are changing and the youth has a major role to play. "In 1947, all the princely states handed over their 'raj' to the nation and their contribution is unmatched," Modi said. "To give away the rule is difficult,'' he said, hinting at the emergency. Members of erstwhile princely states of Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Sinhori (Rajasthan), Lunavada, Limbadi, Devgadh Baria, Lakhtar, Lathi, Muli, Chuda, Virpur, Balashinor, Patdi, Jetpur, Mansa, Poshina and Sanand were present on this occasion.