Black and White

Director: Subhash Ghai
Producer:  Subhash Ghai
Starring: Aditi Sharma, Habib Tanvir, Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Anurag Sinha
Music: Sukhwinder Singh

Subhash Ghai's Black And White is different from his previous movies in regard to its budget and paraphernalia. As he is known for big budget and usually high profile movies under his banner, this doesnt match with his image. Besides, films made by him are based on popular subjects unlike the one in the movie under review. So, you might be anxious to know the reason behind this sudden change in his attitude? Well, there is indeed something behind it that doesnt meet the eye.

Incidentally, Ghai had planned to return to filmdom with a bang and via Yuvraj, but changed his mind in favor of Black And White. So, he decided to rush the movie even if he had to convert this into a small budget and with less paraphernalia though unusual in Mukta banner movies. Ghai wished to make Black And White a bigger movie than his previous ones, with top star cast and all the lavish sets etc. In fact, he had thought of directing it himself. Black And White was then downscaled to cost merely Rs 70/ 80 million and with Anil Kapoor as the only big star and the rest being newcomers.

Another surprise: most of this film has been shot in his hometown (Old Delhi) where he was brought up and educated. Ghai completed the films shooting mostly in the lanes, bylanes and crowded shopping centers of Old Delhi that he had spotted after paying several personal visits. The unit members were wondering as to why their boss was so keen on visiting different shooting locations. They need to know that their boss had complete knowledge about the walled city. Besides, Ghai made special arrangements to shoot the historical places of the city like Red Fort and Jama Masjid. It is wondered if he had met with his old acquaintances.

In spite of a new genre of a movie coupled with a meager budget and newcomers cast, Subhash's direction and production did lend the movie the high prestige and excellence that could be the envy of any of todays filmmakers. Black & White has proved the versatility of the showman in handling the subject with maturity. A critic colleague says that some of the scenes leave an indelible impression.

The movies story revolves around Rajan Mathur played by Anil Kapoor who resides in Chandni Chowk with his activist wife Roma played by Shifaali Shah. Mathur, a professor in Urdu literature, meets Numair played by Anurag Sinha.

Though the latter is a suicide bomber commissioned by a Muslim fundamentalist group to detonate a bomb near Red Fort on August 15th, he claims to be a victim of Gujarat communal riots. The professor trusts Numair and provides him shelter in his house.

While helping Numair to get an entry pass for 15th August celebrations at Red Fort, Mathur introduces Numair to his Chandni Chowk friends. Luckily, the warmth and colorful lives of Old Dilliwallahs prevails on the suicide bomber and he has second thought on his mission but in vain. However, the young man remains confused now. Thus, Ghai looks deep into the psyche of a human bomb and a fanatic missionary who listens to his inner conscience, telling him to revolt against his masters. This transformation is very well depicted on screen under the guidance of the showman that Subhash Ghai is par excellence.

Luckily, the warmth and colorful lives of Old Dilliwallahs prevails on the suicide bomber and he has second thought on his mission but in vain. However, the young man remains confused now. Thus, Ghai looks deep into the psyche of a human bomb and a fanatic missionary who listens to his inner conscience, telling him to revolt against his masters. This transformation is very well depicted on screen under the guidance of the showman that Subhash Ghai is par excellence.

But Black & White is not without its weak spots e.g. the romantic track comes like a sore thumb. Besides, the reasons that change the fanatics thinking arent too convincing. Apart from this, from Shifaali's brutal murder to her last rites coupled with Anil and Anurag's entry into the Red Fort, arent dramatic enough to attract the viewers attention.

We wish Ghai had paid a little more attention to this. Among the strong points are the events leading to Anurags confronting Milind Gunaji and assaulting him brutally. Here, Ghai rises beyond the script. Most of all, Sukhwinder Singh music has a soothing effect. Jogi Aaya and Main Chala are melodious compositions. Somak Mukherjee camera captures the bylanes of Delhi excellently. Dialogues are well worded in the Old Delhi style.

Anil Kapoor proves his versatility again. Ghai has made several newcomers as stars, not in the distant past. Now, Anurag is another addition to the long list. Shifaali Shah is excellent despite her brief role. Aditi doesnt get much scope. The senior citizen is first-rate. Aroon Bakshi is efficient. Milind Gunaji does a good job.

On the whole, Black & White is a laudable work of an ever-successful director. He needs word of mouth publicity, though. Then, the movie would attract its target audience at multiplexes, in particular.