UK marks Gandhi Jayanti with iconic screening of 'Bapu@150' film at Piccadilly Circus

A film depicting the life of Mahatma Gandhi was projected on to the screens at Piccadilly Circus in London on Tuesday to mark the launch of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations for the Father of the Nation.

The 'Bapu@150' film, commissioned by the High Commission of India in London, flashed the teachings of Gandhi around non-violence and satyagraha on to the iconic screens in central London, with tourists and passers-by stopping to capture images.

The hour-long screening incorporated Gandhi's well-known sayings such as Be the change that you wish to see and Poverty is the worst form of violence and was accompanied by graphic imagery depicting the leader of the Indian National Movement in his characteristic khadi outfit and spectacles.

"This marks the launch of a series of celebrations for the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi in the UK," the Indian High Commission said.

The screening was preceded by an annual gathering to mark Gandhi Jayanti, celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence, at the famous Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square in London on Tuesday morning.

The event, also organised by the Indian High Commission along with community organisations such as India League, Gita Foundation and National Association of Patidar Samaj, brought together members of the Indian diaspora for floral tributes and chanting of Gandhi's favourite bhajans.

The group then undertook a "peace march" to the relatively newer Gandhi statue at Parliament Square in London, which was unveiled in 2015.

The 149th birth anniversary of Gandhi, which marks the beginning of the year-long celebrations of his 150th birth anniversary, was chosen by UK-based Rising Star Entertainment for the release of the first glimpse into 'The Gandhi Murder', a new period film that delves into the political events leading up to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

The international film project, set for release on January 30 next year to coincide with Gandhi's death anniversary, questions the narrative behind the killing of the freedom fighter by Right-wing nationalist Nathuram Godse.

"The film, based on true events, follows three senior police officers in different parts of India, who, well aware of the intelligence that Gandhi's life in under threat, must take key decisions that would eventually either save the Mahatma, or the country, the filmmakers explain.

The film, co-directed by Algerian filmmaker Karim Traidia and writer Pankaj Sehgal, stars a host of Hollywood actors and also marks the final on-screen appearance of Indian actor Om Puri, who passed away last year.