Mumbai: Filmmaker Prakash Jha feels that India badly needs a modern Gandhi today in view of the prevailing corruption in every section of the society. In his latest outing, `Satyagraha`, Jha focuses on the uprising of the middle class against a corrupt and unjust system. It is the story of a man who is a firm believer of Gandhian principles.
"My film `Satyagraha` is not inspired from Mahtama Gandhi or Anna Hazare. Gandhi was a great human being, a great leader, a great inspiration for the entire country and India badly needs a modern Gandhi today," Jha said in an interview here.
"Today the common man is not angry because of corruption in the country, he is angry because he is a victim of corruption. Things like death due to negligence or a common man fighting the system to get his pension are very common phenomena in our country. I have tried to highlight these issues in my film," he said.
In his political stint, the filmmaker had contested the Lok Sabha elections from his native Champaran in Bihar.
"I wanted to bring about a change in the country and that was the reason I tried to contest for the elections twice but I failed. An MP gets a lot of power and access so I thought if I would become one, I would be able to bring about a genuine change in the society. But it seems people did not accept me," he added.
Jha is happy with the response to the political drama which has garnered Rs 44.19 crore in four days at the box office since its release on August 30.
"I am happy with the response that we are getting for a film like `Satyagraha`... It shows people are ready to accept all kind of films provided they are good. With the kind of numbers (box office collection) we have made, it proves the audience has liked the film," Jha said.

"I have never claimed that I am trying to make great cinema. I have always taken cinema as a medium to express my opinions and take it to the audience," he said.
PTI