Hansal Mehta reveals his father was friends with Rajiv Gandhi, says former PM would take him out for ice cream: ‘He’d get sitafal flavour packed for himself’

Hansal Mehta revealed in an interview that his father was a close personal friend of Rajiv Gandhi, who'd take them out for ice cream whenever he visited Mumbai.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | September 21, 2023 11:36 AM IST

2 min read

Hansal Mehta's father was a close friend of Rajiv Gandhi.

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Film director Hansal Mehta spoke about his family’s connection to the Gandhis, and said that his father was a close friend of the late former PM Rajiv Gandhi. In a new interview, Hansal also revealed stories about Gandhi from when he was a child, and said that the politician had a sweet tooth, and was particularly fond of ice cream.

In an interview with Unfiltered by Samdish, Hansal also spoke about Rajiv’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 him were very good friends.”

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Hansal continued, “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 said that he remembers when Indira Gandhi passed away, his father said that he must go to Delhi. “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.” Hansal said that his father continued to meet Rajiv Gandhi even after his brother Sanjay died, and he’d fully embraced a life in politics.

Hansal most recently directed the Netflix series Scoop, and the film Faraaz. He also returned to oversee the second season of Scam, which was directed by Tushar Hiranandani. He will return with The Buckingham Murders next, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead role and set for a premiere at the London Film Festival.

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