Hey Ram (2000) It is a historical crime drama written, directed, and produced by Kamal Haasan, who also portrays the central character, Saket Ram. The film was simultaneously produced in Tamil and Hindi and features a distinguished ensemble cast, including Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, Vasundhara Das, Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Atul Kulkarni, and Farida Jalal. The title of the film is derived from the traditional account of Mahatma Gandhi's alleged final words. Its soundtrack and background score were composed by Ilaiyaraaja, whose music contributes significantly to the film's historical atmosphere and emotional intensity.

Presented as an alternate history narrative, Hey Ram explores the turbulent period of India's Partition, Direct Action Day, and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse. The film examines the psychological impact of communal violence, political extremism, and personal trauma through the experiences of its protagonist. Set in 1999, the narrative begins with the 89-year-old Saket Ram reflecting on the events that shaped his life during the 1946 communal disturbances and the Partition of India.

The story follows Saket Ram, an archaeologist whose life is transformed by tragedy when his first wife, Aparna, is killed during the horrific communal riots in Calcutta. Consumed by grief and anger, he becomes vulnerable to extremist ideologies that hold Gandhi responsible for the division of the country. Manipulated by radical forces, Saket becomes involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Gandhi. However, his friendship with Amjad Ali Khan, a Muslim friend played by Shah Rukh Khan, and his eventual encounter with Gandhi lead him towards self-reflection and moral transformation. The film ultimately presents a powerful exploration of forgiveness, humanity, and the possibility of overcoming hatred.

Released in 2000,Hey Ram received positive critical responses for its ambitious storytelling, historical reconstruction, and performances, although it was not commercially successful at the box office. The film was screened at the International Film Festival of India and was selected by the Film Federation of India as India's official submission for the Academy Awards in 2000, though it did not receive a nomination. Internationally, it was screened at the 25th Toronto International Film Festival and the 2000 Locarno Festival. The film also faced controversy, with protests from certain political groups who objected to its portrayal of Gandhi and historical events.

The Hindi version was released on 18 February 2000 and achieved moderate commercial performance. Despite its limited box-office success, the film received significant recognition at major award ceremonies. At the 47th National Film Awards, it won three honours: Atul Kulkarni received the Silver Lotus Award for Best Supporting Actor, Sarika won the award for Best Costume Design, and the film received the National Film Award for Best Special Effects. Sarika also won the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design, while the film received the Filmfare Award for Best Special Effects. Kamal Haasan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor Tamil and received further critical recognition for his portrayal of Saket Ram. With its complex treatment of history, memory, and communal identity, Hey Ram remains an important and intellectually significant work in Indian cinema.