‘Black’: A blend of art and entertainment : Bollywood News : ApunKaChoice.Com


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‘Black’: A blend of art and entertainment
03rd Feb 2005 13.31 IST
By ApunKaChoice Bureau

Blending the fine nuances of craft with shades of popular entertainment in a movie is an art in itself and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has attempted to perform this intricate task in his latest venture – Black .

Touted as one of the biggest releases of the year, the Amitabh Bachchan - Rani Mukherjee starrer explores the darker side of human life, capturing the despair and agony of a physically challenged girl, but still manages to add to it a tinge of commercial element.

"This film has not been made with any moralistic point of view. It has all the ingredients of commercial mainstream cinema, but all the emotions are put across in an equally sensitive way and that makes it different," said Bachchan, who plays the lead role in Black, at a pre-release press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The film, shot in Mumbai and Shimla, revolves around the character of Michelle -- a dumb, deaf and blind girl -- and the special tutor who helps her achieve her dreams, essayed by Bachchan.

Having worked with many a noted director and producer in his career spanning nearly three decades, Bachchan thinks the role in ‘Black’ has been his most enriching experience so far.

"It was the most challenging role...It is a first-time experience because there is not even a single scene in this film that I felt I have done before," a beaming Bachchan said.

Terming the movie, which is set for release this Friday, "one of the most rewarding experience," he said, "I don’t normally talk about my roles, but I am so overwhelmed in this case."

"I feel this film and Sanjay Bhansali will take Indian cinema several notches high," Bachchan said.

He, however, disagrees that ‘Black’, which has no songs, was made keeping in mind the tastes of a global audience. "Basically the film is made for the Indian audience. We will be happy if it has a global appeal".

Both Rani and Bachchan were all praise for Bhansali, who has hits like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas to his credit, and said they were pushed harder by Sanjay to attain that moment of perfection.

"I turned down the offer first when Sanjay approached me. I was scared, but Sanjay showed a tremendous confidence in me and encouraged me to take up the project," said Rani.

Rani, fresh from her recent success in Yuva , Veer Zaara , and Hum Tum , said it was very difficult to play the character of a deaf, dumb and blind girl.

"I had never come across any girl who is deaf, dumb and blind. There was no reference for me, so it was different."

Both Bachchan and Rani had to undergo training for seven months in sign language for playing their roles and found it a "refreshing and rewarding" experience.

"We interacted with physically handicapped children at the Hellen Keller Institute in Mumbai, learnt the way they talk, walk, eat and communicate. We saw children who refused sympathy, with a desire to accomplish everything that normal people have...They make us really small," Bachchan said.