Lage raho Munnabhai

I recently read a news story that tirelessly applauds the latest bollywood flick lage raho munnabhai. The story also explains the movie's effect on general indian public. I was surprised that the movie received a lot of praise from people who hadn't watched a movie in years; from management institutes; from school headmasters and from parents. Free tickets were being given out at management schools, high schools and even software companies.
The state government in andhra Pradesh has decided to waive the entertainment tax for the movie. Cinema theater managements are getting ready to screen special shows at reduced prices.

The reason: The movie shows Gandhian principles in a fresh light and it is important for today's youth and children to realize the importance of believeing and following them. The principles of satyagraha and nonviolence, the art of offering the other cheek when you receive a blow on the first one, the point in being truthful all the time and probably many more that I am ignorant of.

First off, who verified these principles?

Do these principles work? Can the basic human nature of retaliating and seeking revenge be curbed? Did somebody prove that curbing basic human traits is safe emotinally and psychologically? For example, (and i might be wrong here) the way priests turn pedophiles and gay just because they curb their sexual desires? Do we really know that Gandhi's principles have brought us freedom? If so, why was he assasinated. What is the assasin's defence?
Did the British just leave the country for reasons other than satyagraha like the second world war or maybe subhash chandra bose or maybe because there was nothing left of India?

Are Gandhian principles India's saving face?

Lage raho India.