Rare Gandhi documentary found

It was last shown in Delhi on August 14, 1947, with former President Rajendra Prasad in the audience. On Wednesday, it was screened again at Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti.

It was last shown in Delhi on August 14, 1947, with former President Rajendra Prasad in the audience. On Wednesday, it was screened again at Gandhi Smriti Darshan Samiti.

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Possibly the first film on his life ‘Twentieth Century Prophet — Mahatma Gandhi' was produced by AK Chettiar, a Tamil journalist between 1937 and 1940. Chettiar came up with the idea in October 1937 while on a ship with Gandhi. He collected about 50,000 ft of rare footage.

Chettiar took it to the US in 1953, further edited it and added English commentary. "It was thought to be lost. This US version was found recently," said Anupam Mishra of Gandhi Peace Foundation.