Movie Preview: Black & White
Bollywood showman Subhash Ghai is back to filmmaking after a long break with a movie on terrorism, “Black and White”. His period romance, “Kisna: The Warrior Poet” had bombed at the box office in 2005.
Set in Delhi, the drama revolves around a professor, who teaches Urdu literature in Zakir Hussain College and lives in Chandni Chowk with his activist wife.
Terrorism is a burning issue plaguing the entire world. If researched well and executed deftly, the film might be a good watch especially because of Anil who is known to be a perfectionist. Anil gives meticulous attention to every detail of his character.
Shot in Delhi and Mumbai, Ghai’s film launches Anurag Sinha.
Character Sketches :
Anil Kapoor as Professor Rajan Mathur : He teaches Urdu literature in Zakir Hussain College and lives and lives a respectful life in Chandni Chowk with his social activist wife.
Shefali Shah as Roma Mathur: A sharp- tongued woman who is busy in her dual role as wife and activist.
Anurag Sinha as Namair Qazi: A terrorist , a suicide bomber of a Muslim fundamentalist group who is ordered to set off a bomb near Red Fort on 15th August. He, however, introduces himself as as a victim of communal riots in Gujarat
Synopsis:
Professor Mathur introduces Namair Qazi to the warm and lively people of Chandni Chowk who all live together in peace and harmony irrespective of their religion.
In Chandni Chowk ,Shagufta, a modern Muslim college going girl, a bitter speaking Roma Mathur who is the wife of the Professor, Rahat, a Sufi pop singer, an 84 year old Gaffar Miyan filled with patriotism, a happy go lucky Sardar Kirtan Singh and various other people all coexist with fun, music, love, colourful events and festivals irrespective of their religion.
Everybody showers love and affection on Numair and their attitude surprises the terrorist. There is no black and white.
The Plot:
One day, Mathur meets a young man Numair Qazi (Anurag Sinha), who introduces himself as a victim of communal riots in Gujarat. Mathur believes him and gives him shelter without knowing the reality that Numair is a suicide bomber commissioned by a Muslim fundamentalist group. His aim is to plant a bomb near the Red Fort Aug 15.
During his 15-day stay, Numair wins the professor’s trust. Even his sharp-tongued wife becomes fond of him. He also meets a modern Muslim college girl Shagufta.
In a short period, Mathur becomes so fond of Numair that he helps him get a pass for the Aug 15 celebrations at Red Fort. The professor also introduces him to the warm and loving people of Chandni Chowk, who coexist with fun, music, love, colourful events and festivals irrespective of their religion.
During his stay with the Professor, Numair gets caught up in a tight spot as to whether he should carry out the orders of his superiors or not. Despite his deep-rooted fundamentalist beliefs, he sees Chandni Chowk as one of the most colourful and loving areas. Everybody showers love and affection on Numair and their attitude surprises the terrorist. There is no Black and White.
He starts questioning himself and finds himself caught in an emotional dilemma to go ahead with his mission. But he moves on and goes forward to accomplish his mission.
Numair should be alert and focused in order to execute his plans on the dotted day and time.
But what is worrying young Numair? What are the sacrifices of the Professor and his wife for him? What will eventually happen on Independence Day?
It’s a story, a notion, a message never seen before on the Indian screen with an exhilarating experience in this entertaining yet unique style of Director Subhash Ghai.
Black & White releases on March 7th 2008
A Good theme from an old master!!!!
