Gandhi My Father intricately explores the strained relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his son, Harilal Gandhi. From the very beginning, their aspirations diverge dramatically; while Harilal (played by Akshay Khanna) dreams of studying abroad to become a barrister like his father, Gandhi hopes for his son to follow in his footsteps and join him in the fight for justice and equality.
Set in 1906, while Mohanlal and Kastur Gandhi battle against apartheid in South Africa, Harilal finds himself in Rajkot, caught up in his own ambitions. Amidst his plans for marriage to Gulab, Mohanlal responds with disappointment, declaring he would no longer recognize Harilal as his son. In a bid for reconciliation, Harilal travels to South Africa, leaving Gulab behind. Mohan asks for her presence, hoping she would inspire change in Harilal.
Initially, Harilal joins his father in the struggle against apartheid and stands by him when Gandhi faces arrest for defying oppressive laws. However, after receiving a warning about Harilal’s intentions to pursue a formal education, Mohan dismisses his son’s aspirations, insisting he remain committed to the cause.
As tensions escalate, Mohan decides to send Gulab and Harilal’s daughter back to India, igniting Harilal’s fury. Opportunities for education arise when a friend creates a scholarship, but Mohan chooses another candidate, sidelining his son once more. This neglect becomes an emotional turning point for Harilal, who feels betrayed and disillusioned, leading him to abandon his father's vision and return to India, where he reunites with Gulab (played by Bhoomika Chawla) and their children.
In India, Harilal attempts to gain his diploma but faces repeated failures, ultimately falling into financial despair. When Mohan arrives in 1915 to ignite the freedom struggle, Harilal seeks his father's assistance, only to be met with rejection. Unable to rely on Mohan for help, Harilal gets a job in a factory in Calcutta, where he tries to succeed by trading the very foreign goods Mohan protests against.
Despite his initial success, Harilal resorts to dishonest means to fund his business, leading to a damaging criminal case initiated by Mohan’s friend. With each failed endeavor, Harilal’s reputation deteriorates, tarnishing his father’s name. As his struggles intensify, Gulab leaves with the children and tragedy strikes when one of their sons dies. Stripped of his family, Harilal’s health deteriorates after Gulab falls gravely ill before he can say farewell.
Despairing, Harilal initially refuses Mohan’s attempts to reconnect. Eventually, he secures a sales job, but the shadows of his past loom large. Soon after, a business proposal using the Gandhi name tempts him, resulting in deception that leads to his arrest. His fall from grace drives him to seek solace in Christianity, yet he remains mired in debt, shifting loyalties to those who would exploit him.
As Mohan launches the Quit India Movement and faces imprisonment, Kasturba reaches out to Harilal, urging him to return to his roots. However, the tides of history sweep them apart, as riots break out in Calcutta and partition looms. Mohan's decision for compromise births Pakistan, while Harilal struggles to find his place amidst chaos.
In a tragic turn, Mohan meets a violent end in January 1948. Harilal attends the funeral incognito, trying to escape his entangled legacy, only to die unnoticed five months later, on June 18, 1948. His life becomes a poignant reflection of the conflicts inherent in both personal and political spheres, leaving a complex legacy intertwined with that of his illustrious father.
