Message in a bottle. Review on Black And White

" I don't let pressures get to me. I have to make something that I enjoy

first. What I enjoy will be hopefully enjoyed by audiences."

Subhash Ghai in a press Interview

For a director who has come a long way since his first directoral debut-a relatively lesser known movie called KALICHARAN(1976, starring Shatrughan Sinha), he may have experimented with different themes to catch up with common masses mood, yet one cannot ignore his passion for crime/terrorism in different shades. From Kalicharan till Black and White, Suhash Ghai, as a director has delved into three different aspects of crime/terroroism; smuggling in mid-eightees, gangster in mid nintees and now terrorism in its most ghastly form(suicide bomber/religious fundamentalism) and needless to say has proven his ability to take out the best from his actors.

Story:

The story revolves around a young Afghan religious fundamentalist who looks at world around him from only hardliner's perspective. He is sent to Delhi on a mission to blow himself up at Red Fort during 15th August festivities. He is brought to Delhi under guise of an orphan from Gujarat whose parents have been murdered in religious violence. Made to stay in chandni chowk area of delhi, the young terrorist makes plan for achieving his mission with help from like minded religious hardliners.The finances are arranged by a local muslim businessman while the plan is also secretly helped by a local politician from same community. To bring his mission to completion, he befriends an Urdu Professor(Anil Kapoor) and gains trust of his wife(Shaifali Shah).Presence of theatre veteran Habib Tanveer(old urdu poet and host to young terrorist) adds to intensity of some of the scenes.While the chracter of cute daughter of professor-social service woman(Anil Kapoor-Shaifali Shah) not only adds to the emotional appeal of story but also helps in achieving the desired end to its ultimate conclusion in most realistic manner.

The story is not about a character but an issue, focus is neither on chracter of Anil Kapoor(Urdu Professor whom Anurag Sinha befriends during his stay in chandni chowk to get through security clearance in red fort) or Anurag Sinha(young terrorist) change of heart and more than that change of outlook, it stresses upon a fact that every thing has somany shades, so many perspectives, so many outlooks, even religion.

Chracters:

While Anurag Sinha's character of young suicide bomber from Afghanistan is believably dashing, the boy's face is impassive in most of the scenes. Anil Kapoor as an Urdu professor makes a mark while Shaifali Shah as wife of Urdu Professor adds lightness to otherwise intense movie. Presence of theatre veteran Habib Tanvir as old muslim host is the my most beloved character in movie which at times made my eyes moist and ticked me in one other scene where he calls Shaifali in middle of night thrice to infruriate the sleeping damsel.For most of her role, Shaifali as Anil's wife has played her role to perfection while the young little cute girl as the only child of pair(anil-shaifali) added to their screen chemistry. While character of CBI police chief was not as believable as in some other bollywood flicks.

Music:

Music of a different SUFI type has been played here which is tolerable one moment while sounds enthralling when viewed in relevance to the scenes as well as locations.The lyrics is good while instruments are worth paying attention.

Cinematography:

Chandni Chowk is as lively as it can be.Delhi as crowded as it can get with hindu muslim bhai-bhai living peacefully otherwise but ready to draw a dagger and cut each other's throat on slightest provocation.The inners of Anil's home was realistic while beautifull scenes of red fort were eye catching.

The movie should have instant appeal to educated younger generation and families alike. The issue in hand is not terrorism while terrorist and how love/affection/guidance from a seasoned academician(that's Anil Kappor) brings in a fresh perspective in otherwise religiously overwhelmed outlook of a young suicide bomber and how he discoveres a new meaning to word'Jehad'.

Overall a movie with a social message worth value of every dime spent in theatre.