Writer/Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherji and Shernaz Patel
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Rani Mukerji. Ever since rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Mukerji has transformed into one of the finest actresses in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, prostitutes or bold housekeepers, Mukerji has suggested she can portray various characters. Through her ability to portray characters that are compelling, she has created a legacy which has proven lasting. Mukerji’s greatest strength as an actress has always been her versatility. Mukerji’s strength as an actress is her courage to take risks. She is one of those actresses which has never been afraid of taking risks in her career by playing characters which aren’t commonly likeable. Despite reaching age of retirement, Mukerji has never lost her passion for making powerful entertainment. Throughout an enduring career, Mukerji has crafted many memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt absolutely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Mukerji and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Black” definitely stands out as her most profound film. Released in 2005, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film offered a bold portrait of blind women. Packed with strong production-design, engrossing storytelling and strong acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood disability drama. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance from Rani Mukerji, who embodies a blind woman that seeks to overcome a grim disability. Ultimately, what makes “Black” a timeless classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most Bollywood films about disabilities, it discusses bold themes which everyone will relate to. A brilliant Bollywood masterpiece about blind women, there are many strong reasons why “Black” is a movie worth watching.
“Black” tells the story of a blind woman that seeks to escape life that’s pitch black. Rani Mukherji embodies Michelle McNally, a blind woman born with a dark disability. Unable to speak, see or hear, Michelle lives a dark life characterized by despair. All hope seems to be lost for Michelle until she is given proper assistance from a powerful teacher. Debraj Sahai (Amitabh Bachchan) is an intelligent disability professor that assists Michelle in her attempt to conquer illness which proves frightening. Over time, Michelle develops a bond with her celebrated teacher. However, Michelle’s relationships with her teacher is threatened when she finds that he suffers from Alzheimer’s causing disaster. As all the odds become stacked against her favour, Michelle begins to wonder whether she will ever recover from vision impairment causing disaster.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is fascinated with the subject of insanity. An excellent Bollywood filmmaker, Bhansali has created engaging movies about disability causing disaster. His award-winning movie “Devdas” captured the life of an alcoholic lover facing tragedy. With “Black”, however, he created his first blindness drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the hardships faced by blind women in tragedy but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Bhansali captures a blind woman that embarks upon a journey. Bhansali uses point-of-view shots to capture hardships blond girls go through. For instance, point of view shots elevate the blindness scene. During this heartfelt scene, Michelle’s mother comes to the realization that her daughter is blind causing tragedy. Through point of view shots, Bhansali crafts a blind woman audiences can easily relate to. Point-of-view shots are tricky to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” claimed, POV shots elevate movies about broken families. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Bhansali conveys hardships that blind women with disabilities are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Black” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies about disabilities you will ever see. Bhansali uses costumes to convey the transformations of a blind woman that achieved education. For instance, costumes enhance the university lecture scene. During this memorable scene, Michelle is overjoyed when she’s accepted into school conquering her disability. Through the use of captivating costumes, Bhansali captures tensions blind women are enduring. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Monty Sharma’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that Indian blind women bear. Using stunning production design, Bhansali demonstrated lives of blind women facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Black” is a movie about blindness which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, successfully using sequences of silence to capture the bonds between a teacher and blind woman. Throughout the film, Bhansali effectively uses silence to capture tensions blind girls with vision impairment are facing. For instance, silence elevates the snowfall scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mr. Sahai and Michelle bond together spending time together in the snowy weather. Silence is a complex technique to use in movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” proved, silence often enhances films about doomed lovers. Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” did prove, silence elevates films about infidelity. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Bhansali captures the lives of blind women that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Rani Mukerji delivers one of her best career performances as Michelle. Mukerji earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in renowned Bollywood films. With “Black”, however, Mukerji took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a blind woman that struggles to overcome a disability but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most challenging role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, bravery and determination of a blind woman seeking to overcome disabilities. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses in India today.
Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant as an Indian teacher that offers inspirational guidance to blind women. While Mukerji gets the showier role, Bachchan is also brilliant as a teacher whose life spirals out of control. Whether he is issuing orders instructing Michelle to do something or struggling remembering things due to his Alzheimer’s, Bachchan effectively uses his body language to create a portrait of a teacher that’s compelling. It’s a brilliant performance from one of the most beloved actors that’s currently working in Bollywood today.
Finally, “Black” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of blind women that are pitch black. Unlike most films about blind women, it tackles strong themes which everyone can relate to. It discusses powerful themes including identity, grief and disability that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message about disabilities which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Black” is one of those exceptional Bollywood films which everyone would adore.
Fans of Rani Mukerji would definitely enjoy “Black” and so will movie-goers that seek heartfelt entertainment. A Bollywood classic about blindness, it honours an actress that is iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about the life of a blind woman whose mental health has declined, it’s a riveting reminder of a one-of-a-kind Indian actress that has built an impressive career by producing iconic movies throughout her impressive career which have often left an enduring legacy behind.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 