India’s Gandhi series to premiere at TIFF 2025 with A.R. Rahman’s stirring score
The 50th Toronto International Film Festival will open its doors this September to a landmark moment in Indian storytelling. For the first time in the festival’s history, an Indian television show will premiere in TIFF’s prestigious Primetime Slate — the Gandhi series, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta and starring Pratik Gandhi as the iconic leader.
Adapted from historian Ramachandra Guha’s bestselling biographies Gandhi Before India and Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, the multi-season drama traces the transformation of a young lawyer into the Mahatma — the global symbol of non-violent resistance. The series will screen alongside only a handful of international works chosen for TIFF’s episodic showcase, cementing its status as a world-class production.
A.R. Rahman’s musical touch
One of the most celebrated composers in modern music, A.R. Rahman brings his signature artistry to the score of Gandhi. Known for blending Indian classical traditions with global sounds, Rahman’s music has won him two Academy Awards, two Grammys, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe. His past film credits include Slumdog Millionaire, Lagaan, Guru, and Roja.
For Gandhi, Rahman’s compositions aim to mirror the series’ emotional arc — from the turbulence of colonial politics to the serenity of spiritual resolve. Drawing on traditional Indian instruments alongside sweeping orchestral arrangements, Rahman’s score is set to become one of the defining sonic portraits of Gandhi in contemporary media.
Gandhi — the man who changed the world
Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1869, the man who would be known as the Mahatma led India’s struggle for independence through an unyielding commitment to ahimsa — non-violence — and satyagraha, the force of truth. His leadership not only mobilised millions of Indians against British colonial rule but also inspired civil rights movements worldwide, influencing figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama.
Gandhi’s life was a tapestry of paradoxes: a deeply spiritual figure who engaged in political strategy, a man of principle who understood compromise, and a symbol of simplicity who became a global icon. His assassination in 1948 only deepened his legacy, turning him into an enduring emblem of moral resistance.
A global stage for an Indian story
For Mehta, bringing Gandhi to TIFF is “a moment of pride, memory, and quiet revolution.” Lead actor Pratik Gandhi — no relation to the Mahatma — has called the selection “a big milestone,” not just for the production but for Indian storytellers seeking a wider global audience.
With its historical scope, sweeping production values, and a world-class creative team, Gandhi promises to be more than a biographical drama — it’s an invitation for audiences to revisit a legacy that remains urgently relevant in the 21st century.
When the series premieres in Toronto this September, it won’t just be a celebration of one man’s life; it will be a celebration of the enduring power of truth, courage, and art to change the world.