'Goodbye Bafana' screened to mark Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday

Mumbai, July 17 : The premiere of the movie Goodbye Bafana' based on the life of former South African President Nelson Mandela was held here ahead of his 90th birthday.

The movie relives Nelson Mandela's life and years of South African history. It stars Dennis Haysbert as Mandela and Joseph Fiennes as the white jailor.

'Goodbye Bafana' is a critically acclaimed film by Cannes award winning filmmaker Bille August.

A number of Bollywood actors turned up for the premiere who were all praise for the heroic efforts of the legendary Mandela who fought to uproot apartheid or racial discrimination in South Africa.

"Mandela led a heroic life that was full of struggle. I have come here to see all that," said Irfan Khan, a Bollywood actor.

There was excitement among the Bollywood celebrities as they eagerly waited for the screening of the movie.

"As much as I know, he has worked for his community especially and he has voiced the problems of the people. He is a hero, I believe. Mandela fought for his people. It is difficult to find people like him," said Mitali, a Bangaldeshi singer.

The filming of the movie that showcases 30 years of South African history began in April 2006.

The movie was shot in original locations and it takes one through the same corridors and cells that Mandela and his comrades lived in for nearly three decades of imprisonment.

The movie won the Peace Prize at the Berlin Film Festival 2007 and was nominated for the Golden Bear for Best Motion Picture.

Mandela devoted his life to the fight against white domination, leaving Fort Hare University in the early 1940s before completing his studies. He founded the ANC Youth League with Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu.

He was among the first to advocate armed resistance to apartheid, going underground in 1961 to form the ANC's armed wing -- Umkhonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation). Mandela was later arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964.

After spending 27 years in jail he was freed on February. 11, 1990 and subsequently became the first black President of South Africa in 1994.

Mandela was honoured with the 1993 Nobel peace prize for his fight against apartheid. He was awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 1991.

ANI