Gandhi Was the Reason Why Charlie Chaplin Advanced His Movie Career

The Most Unusual Dynamic Duo — Comedian & a Political Leader.

When you think of Gandhi, what comes to mind is a Pinterest mood board of peace quotes. It may be because Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha had the same type of mentality that is not in vogue today. Which was:

‘If someone slaps you on one cheek, point the other one forward too’

Or because Gandhi is the poster celebrity whenever you look up Indian Independence on google.

Whatever the case, this article shines a light on his unusual acquaintances and alliances with unusual people. Seriously, I was not expecting Gandhi to have a sense of humor, let alone have a friend who is essentially the father of comedy as we know it today — the one and only Charlie Chaplin.

Where did this unlikely alliance form? Of a freedom fighter in traditional Indian ‘dhoti’ and a well-suited English man? And was not Gandhi supposed to go to England to fight for freedom or something?

So where did he stumble upon one of the ‘enemies’ (The Indians and English were not exactly what you would call best friends, you might call them toxic friends but that too would be stretching it), and then even went on to inspire him? To such an extent that Mahatma Gandhi became the reason, Charlie Chaplin advanced his movie career

This is not a retelling of the famous American chick flick When Harry Met Sally but Gandhi and Chaplin’s chance encounter was nothing short of film plot worthy.

This brief encounter had such a profound effect on Chaplin that he would go on to make a movie inspired by Gandhi. But Stop! This is all going a bit too fast. Let me take you to the beginning of the 1930s. That was when this whole thing was set in motion.

Lights! Camera! Action!

But Before that; Inspiration! The date is September 22, 1931. Mahatma Gandhi was supposed to attend a Round Table Conference in London. It was arranged for all the leaders of the subcontinent; what we today know as India and Pakistan.

Round Table Conference were a series of meetings held by the British to decide the fate of the British-occupied subcontinent. So, when he came to Britain it was to advocate constitutional reforms.

However, fate had other plans. In London’s East End, Gandhi met Chaplin. Thousands of Londoners showed up to show how both men were not only popular but living legends. After all, Gandhi was a renowned freedom fighter, and Chaplin was the world’s greatest entertainer.

According to IMDb, Chaplin has starred in more than 70 films. And, has not only starred but has also written and directed several cinematic masterpieces. This includes ‘City Lights’ that had just come out to rave reviews.

They met at the residence of Dr. Katial’s residence in Canning. A venue Chaplin described in his autobiography as being in the slum district off East India Company Dock. The meeting was covered by the press and hundreds of expectant onlookers who were getting live access to what we can only see in history books now.

The Hilarious Irony!

What do you think they talked about when they met? Any lucky guesses? I would like to think they talked about movies or India or comedy. I am sure most of us would think along the same lines. But no!

This most unusual duo, meeting at the most unusual of times talked, naturally about unusual things. They talked about Machinery.

Yes, Dear reader a freedom fighter and a comedian actor, upon first meeting talked about machines. The hilarity does not stop there because when Gandhi got to know that Chaplin was interested in meeting him, he very innocently asked who that was.

Yes, as hard as it is to believe but Gandhi had no idea who Chaplin was since he had watched a grand total of 2 films in his life and Chaplin was not in any of those. However, once he was reassured that Chaplin was of the people, lived for the people, and made people laugh, Gandhi readily agreed to meet him. According to the Leaflet, on the appointed day.

The Hilarious Irony!

What do you think they talked about when they met? Any lucky guesses? I would like to think they talked about movies or India or comedy. I am sure most of us would think along the same lines. But no!

This most unusual duo, meeting at the most unusual of times talked, naturally about unusual things. They talked about Machinery. Yes, Dear reader a freedom fighter and a comedian actor, upon first meeting talked about machines.

The hilarity does not stop there because when Gandhi got to know that Chaplin was interested in meeting him, he very innocently asked who that was.

Yes, as hard as it is to believe but Gandhi had no idea who Chaplin was since he had watched a grand total of 2 films in his life and Chaplin was not in any of those. However, once he was reassured that Chaplin was of the people, lived for the people, and made people laugh, Gandhi readily agreed to meet him. According to the Leaflet, on the appointed day.

For the most part, Charlie Chaplin approached Gandhi since he was interested in the socio-political and economic issues prevailing in the world. For this same purpose he also met with other luminaries like Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill. A record of all these meetings being his travelogue, ‘A Comedian Sees the World,’ With Gandhi, Chaplin discussed how machinery was replacing labor in India, leading to poverty among the masses. Chaplin describes the conversation as intellectually stimulating and positive.

Moreover, since inspiration strikes an artist anywhere, this conversation became how Gandhi inspired Chaplin’s cinematic masterpiece.

Gandhi and the Last Great Silent Film

Gandhi eloquently describing how Indians were becoming increasingly dependent on England for machine-manufactured goods instead of utilizing their own resources greatly inspired Chaplin.

Who knew this conversation would give birth to Chaplin’s masterpiece, ‘Modern Times,’ a silent satirical black and white movie that would go on to win hearts globally? Modern times was a romantic-comedy movie in which Charlie Chaplin’s iconic ‘Little tramp’ character tried to navigate the industrialized world.

It is also famous for being the first time that Chaplin’s voice was heard on screen, and the last time he played his tramp character.

Chaplin’s best of times?

Could Gandhi, the personality who inspired Chaplin’s ‘Modern Times’ be safely termed as his best of times too? As in, the golden period of his film career? And the reason why he advanced his movie career, could it really be Gandhi?

Because when Chaplin met Gandhi, they talked about employment and financial changes after industrialization, and in the movie, Chaplin brings out these themes only! What do you think?

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