For decades, actor, painter and sculptor Surendra Rajan has been one of Indian cinema and theatre’s most recognizable faces when portraying Mahatma Gandhi. From Rajkumar Santoshi’s The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) to dozens of short films, ads, and regional projects, Rajan’s journey into Gandhi’s shoes began almost accidentally when British makeup artists noticed an uncanny resemblance once he shaved his beard. Now 88 and living a quiet, contented life in Coimbatore, Rajan reflects on the immense responsibility of bringing Mahatma Gandhi to life.

How many times have you played the character of Mahatma Gandhi?

I have played Gandhi about 15 times across different platforms—sometimes in an ad, a short film, a Tamil film, a Malayalam film, a Bengali film, or an English film. Including live shows, overall, I have played Gandhi about 15 times.

When you were first offered to play Gandhi, how did you prepare for it?

I had read quite a bit about Gandhi earlier, but when I had to portray Gandhi for the first time in a live show, I re-watched documentaries and read about him again to internalize the character. I had never envisioned playing him, but when I received the offer, I felt if I was going to do it, I should do it with complete dedication. One project led to another, and my portrayal kept improving.

Who offered you the role of Gandhi for the first time?

For the first time, it was for a live show held at August Kranti Maidan in Bombay during the 50th anniversary celebration of India’s independence. At that time, I was not even acting in films. Director Arundhati had given me a role in a project where she asked me to shave my beard, whereas I always maintained a beard. The British makeup artists on set remarked that I looked like Gandhi without a beard—something I had never noticed myself. Articles and photos were published in newspapers, and people began pointing out the resemblance. So, when the 50th-anniversary event was planned in Bombay, they approached me, and I played Gandhi on stage for the first time.

Which was the first film in which you played Gandhi?

My first film playing Gandhi was The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. After that, I played the character in several other films.

What kind of responsibility comes with playing a personality like Gandhi?

I felt a deep personal responsibility to portray him authentically. For instance, I turned down two offers where Gandhi was depicted inappropriately. I also rejected cheap, gimmick-based offers like appearing as Gandhi for election campaigns. Over time, I felt Gandhi’s principles resonated deeper within me, and my respect and reverence for him grew. Since I am fundamentally a painter and sculptor rather than a formally trained actor, my approach was to completely internalize the character and lose my own identity in it.

What would you say to today’s youth and Gen Z about Gandhi?

Gandhi’s relevance is not confined to a specific time or place. His philosophy applies to all societies, nations, and eras. The greatest principle he imparted was non-violence (ahimsa). While there are many facets to his life, his insistence that movements remain non-violent gives them immense strength. That is the core message for current and future generations: the more we distance ourselves from violence, the stronger we become.

Which actor, in your opinion, played Gandhi exceptionally well besides you?

Ben Kingsley played the role exceptionally well. I don’t watch many movies, so I might not recall every performance.

What was your preparation process when Rajkumar Santoshi cast you in The Legend of Bhagat Singh?

Several people had recommended me to Rajkumar Santoshi. When I met him, I had a beard, so he was sceptical at first, saying I didn’t look like Gandhi. Since I couldn’t shave my beard right away, I showed him photographs from my live stage performances. After reviewing the photos, he was convinced. He asked me to lose weight for the role, so I lost about 10 kilograms for the film.

What are you working on currently as an actor?

I am 88 years old now, so age naturally takes its toll. I am not actively working on projects at the moment. However, over the past few days, considering my current weight and age, I felt that if given an opportunity to play Gandhi now, I could deliver an even deeper performance than before. But such decisions are not entirely in my hands.

Where do you live in Coimbatore?

I live in an area called Siddhapudur in Coimbatore. Life here is simple and peaceful, and living expenses are modest. I never accumulated wealth during my active years and always lived simply. Moving here allowed me to manage comfortably within my means.

I cannot even imagine living in Mumbai now. I lived there for 15 years, but when I recently visited for an advertisement shoot, I was overwhelmed by how much everything had changed. It has become difficult to adapt to that environment at my age, which is why I chose a quiet life here in Coimbatore.