Hansal Mehta Reveals His Father Was Friends With Rajiv Gandhi, Says Former PM Would Take Him Out For Ice Cream

Hansal shared anecdotes from his childhood involving Gandhi, highlighting the politician's love for sweets, with a particular fondness for ice cream.

Hansal Mehta recalls memories with Rajiv Gandhi

Source : Instagram/ Hansal Mehta

New Delhi: Film Director Hansal Mehta talked about his familial ties to the Gandhis, in a recent interview, revealing that his father shared a close friendship with the late former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In the interview, Hansal also shared anecdotes from his childhood involving Gandhi, highlighting the politician's love for sweets, with a particular fondness for ice cream.

In an interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, Hansal also spoke about Rajiv Gandhi's brother, the late Sanjay Gandhi, and his 'dictatorial streak'. Asked if he has any memories of Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Hansal said, "My father and Rajiv Gandhi were friends, and he was a pilot. So, my father and he were very good friends."

Talking about Rajiv Gandhi's love for ice cream, he said, "He used to feed us ice cream quite often. He loved ice cream, particularly Gokul ice cream in Santacruz. Whenever he used to come to Mumbai, he used to take us out for ice cream, and he’d order one of every flavour. He’d get sitafal flavour packed for himself to take back home in a special container. He was a lovely guy."

Hansal recalled that when Indira Gandhi passed away, his father said that he must go to Delhi, but he did not go eventually. 

"Ultimately he didn’t go, because he realised that by then, (Rajiv) had moved into politics. He became Michael Corleone. When your childhood friend becomes the prime minister, it’s a surreal feeling," adding that his father continued to meet Rajiv Gandhi even after his brother Sanjay died, and he was fully indulged in politics.

Meanwhile, Hansal's most recent directorial projects include the Netflix series 'Scoop'. Additionally, he took on the role of executive producer for the second season of 'Scam', which is directed by Tushar Hiranandani. Not just that, his upcoming project, 'The Buckingham Murders', featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, is scheduled for its debut at the London Film Festival.