B-L-A-C-K
Sanjay Leela Bhansali [SLB] had dealt with off beat subject in Khamoshi which was a big disaster both in terms of quality and BO performance. Though the trailer of his latest off beat film BLACK has aroused interest, going by his past record [khamoshi and devdas], I didn’t have any expectation from the film.
BLACK is loosely inspired from the Hollywood film THE MIRACLE WORKER [1962] which dealt with the life of Helen keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan.
Is BLACK really good? Or the media is just creating hype? What about the BO performance? Read on…
BLACK is about Michelle (Rani Mukherjee) born to an Anglo-Indian family is deaf and blind. She is unable to communicate and this frustrates her. This makes her aggressive, violent and terrorizing all with destructive mindset and temper tantrums.
Debraj (Amitab Bachchan) is an old eccentric or should I say weird man, an alcoholic, who teaches the blind-deaf students. Due to his falling vision and drinking problem he is asked to resign. The principal later sends him to Michelle’s house to teach her.
Debraj realizes that Michelle is not an ordinary student; he has to perform some miracle, some weird teaching techniques that might shock her. His unorthodox and eccentric type of teaching shocks Michelle, who also with her terrorizing acts gives a tit for tat.
But its finally Debraj who by his weird teaching methods makes Michelle learn her first words. But debraj doesn’t stop here, he wants Michelle to lead a common life like others, wants her to graduate. But he is faced with lot of trials and tribulations; he begins to lose his memory. Now it’s Michelle turn to help debraj to recover his memory. Will Michelle graduate? Will she be able to bring debraj’s memory back? This forms the rest of the story.
My Views… contains spoilers
Black starts of in a tremendous manner. I loved the scenes between Debraj and little Michelle (Ayesha Kapur). The scene where Ayesha slaps Debraj was fascinating. The first half was extremely well made, and suddenly I had lots of expectations from the film. Ayesha Kapur has done a terrific job! I could feel her pain, understand her frustration. I loved the scene when Debraj throws her into the water and later she begins to understand the words, begins to understand and feel the beautiful things around her. Just before the interval the scene where she recognizes her dad, mom and her teacher was really very touching!
But it’s the second half that dampens the proceedings. Rani is seen only in the introduction and before the interval. Her screen time actually starts from the second half. To my dismay second half is PATHETIC. I felt like leaving the theatre, which my friends did! The film aroused considerable interest in the first half but the screenplay spoils the fun in the post interval session. The movie drags very slowly and rani as Michelle too is very disappointing! And the kiss between the two main characters justifies the situation???? (will discuss that later), but nonetheless director could have come up with some better idea.
About the performances like I said earlier ayesha is simply amazing. Rani disappoints and Amitab Bachchan is terrific. To say his performance was excellent would be an understatement. From the films which I have seen this one is the best performance by Amitab. He surely deserves award for his role! Other characters in the film, Michelle;s mom. Dad. Sis are perfect!
The BGM was good; they kept playing the same tune again and again. Cinematography was brilliant. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ravi K Chandran wins prestigious awards. Other technical stuffs too were good. But one thing what confuses me, is the film’s budget is really 21.5 crores?? There was nothing to suggest though!
SLB has taken a brave subject, but looking at the final outcome I feel he has disappointed. The second half ruins the film.
On the whole, the film is of mixed bag, you wil love the first half; will get bored in the second!
Limitations and BO performance
The film has no tracks, and poorly publicized. Infact none of the distributors were eager to take this film but luckily this 21.5 crore experimental film was obtained by yash raj films. The major hindrance in the film is that more than 50% of the film is in English. So no chance for the film to perform in northern belt which constitutes 50% of the revenue . Another worrisome factor is that rani is hardly seen in first half, her place is taken by Ayesha. Rani fans might feel cheated provided they watch the film.
So, the film has little chance in BO, if it does become hit,will be really shocking and amusing. It might do well in metros that too in multiplex. Another blunder made by yash raj films is that they failed to release the OST which I consider would have improved the advance booking. Forgot to mention advance booking is really poor. Even word of mouth cannot save this film from being called a disaster. Even though the film is good at some point it becomes tiresome, you feel like getting out of the theatre. [My friends left just after intermission]
Summary of COMMENTS section for those who might miss it
1) Michelle is a brilliant girl. Gives all the answers in the interview. But why the hell does it take so long for her to graduate?? Initially the reason is given due to slow speed in using braille typewriter.. but later she picks up the speed still fails?? she graduates when she is 40???
2) So SLB dada wants us to believe Bllind-deaf people cannot have relationship, no marriage, no life.. SLB dada, Helen Keller at 34 had a secret wedding with peter fagon! So what the hell SLB wants to convey from that kissing scene?? Why does rani beg??
3) So SLB dada wants us to use violent methods to teach deaf-blind children. Nice message SLB!!
4)Why is everyone behaving like british, why few scenes, surroundings, look british??
5) The first Half of the film is copy paste of THE MIRACLE and this alone provides relief to the audience, the film is said to be inspired from Helen Keller then what the hell is Alzimers disease, sister conflict, all those BS doing here??
BLACK surely is a hatke type film, SLB has done a average to good job, but still fails in many ways. Nonetheless a brave attempt from SLB, if you want to spend time watching different off beat films BLACK is for you. If you like to watch entertaining films with some good music, romance and comedy stuffs its better you avoid this film. I think I have given enough idea and hints whether to invest 100 bucks or not…Its upto you to decide!
My Rating 1/2 Box Office
