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Black

  • 2005
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
37K
YOUR RATING
Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji in Black (2005)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:05
2 Videos
64 Photos
Drama

Michelle, a disabled girl who can't see, hear, or speak, suffering in a world that has given up on her. But when the teacher Debraj enters her life, he becomes a ray of hope that she might p... Read allMichelle, a disabled girl who can't see, hear, or speak, suffering in a world that has given up on her. But when the teacher Debraj enters her life, he becomes a ray of hope that she might pursue her passions and have a normal life.Michelle, a disabled girl who can't see, hear, or speak, suffering in a world that has given up on her. But when the teacher Debraj enters her life, he becomes a ray of hope that she might pursue her passions and have a normal life.

  • Director
    • Sanjay Leela Bhansali
  • Writers
    • Sanjay Leela Bhansali
    • Bhavani Iyer
    • Prakash Kapadia
  • Stars
    • Amitabh Bachchan
    • Rani Mukerji
    • Shernaz Patel
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sanjay Leela Bhansali
    • Writers
      • Sanjay Leela Bhansali
      • Bhavani Iyer
      • Prakash Kapadia
    • Stars
      • Amitabh Bachchan
      • Rani Mukerji
      • Shernaz Patel
    • 187User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 57 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos2

    Black
    Trailer 2:05
    Black
    Black Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Black Trailer
    Black Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Black Trailer

    Photos64

    View Poster
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    + 59
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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Amitabh Bachchan
    Amitabh Bachchan
    • Debraj Sahai
    Rani Mukerji
    Rani Mukerji
    • Michelle McNally
    Shernaz Patel
    Shernaz Patel
    • Catherine 'Cathy' McNally
    Ayesha Kapur
    Ayesha Kapur
    • Young Michelle McNally
    Dhritiman Chatterjee
    Dhritiman Chatterjee
    • Paul McNally
    • (as Dhritiman Chaterji)
    Sillo Mahava
    • Mrs. Gomes
    • (as Silloo Mahava)
    Chippy Gangjee
    • Principal Fernandes
    • (as Chippy Ganjee)
    Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal
    • Ms. Nair
    Salome
    • Martha
    • (as Salomi Roy Kapoor)
    Kenneth Desai
    Kenneth Desai
    • Dr. Mehta
    • (as Kenny Desai)
    Arif Shah
    • Marc Brugger
    Bomie E. Dotiwala
    Bomie E. Dotiwala
    • Mr. Brugger
    • (as Bomi Dotiwala)
    Jeroo Shroff
    • Mrs. Brugger
    Bomi Kapadia
    • Trustee 1
    Kamal Adib
    Kamal Adib
    • Trustee 2
    Zul Vellani
    • Trustee 3
    Shehnaz Anand
    Shehnaz Anand
    • Teacher
    Polly Shroff
    • Nun
    • Director
      • Sanjay Leela Bhansali
    • Writers
      • Sanjay Leela Bhansali
      • Bhavani Iyer
      • Prakash Kapadia
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews187

    8.137.1K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    10Andrew_P

    I never comment on IMDb, but in this case, I'll make an exception

    When the credits started rolling on this movie, my wife and I looked at each other and both spontaneously said "That was one of the best movies I have ever seen". Sure, it was inspired by "The Miracle Worker", with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, bit visually it knocks it for six.

    Awesome awesome cinematography. Let me say that again. Awesome awesome cinematography. Nearly EVERY shot is a wonder!

    Amitabh Bhachchan's acting is his best ever (at least for western audiences), and beats most recent performances from Hollywood.

    I don't consider this film a remake, but even if you do, you still need to see it.
    8vrnq

    Good movie and good acting!

    Excellent performance of the two main actors: Rani Mukherjee is unrecognizable and believable in her role of a blind person & Amitabh Bachchan, well, wonderful as usual! It is a sad and dark movie though. I do not think that this movie is about love nor God... but about hope for sure! It is a good movie, well played. For people looking for a Hindi movie without the Bollywood songs and dances, this one will make them happy; there is nothing of that sort here in this film that is a bit long (124 minutes!).

    For those who admire Amitiji(I am one of them), I guess you must watch this movie because he really is incredible!
    8kairanga

    I changed my views about Hindi movies too...

    For a long time I would watch Hindi / Tamil movies only when ironing. You don't care if you miss some parts - there is always gratuitous mandatory dances, fights and incidental humor.

    Black stands out among the Hindi movies. The brilliant acting, dramatic tension, breathtaking views of the mansions in Simla and the story-telling technique blended to create a great experience. Agreed Amitab is a great actor. But Rani Mukerjee mounts a respectable challenge to him. Supporting actors were great too.

    If Hindi movies are half as good as this, I would watch more.

    I had a bonanza holiday break watching Black, Paheli and Mangal Pande. Looks like there is some real light at the end of the tunnel, after all! I am now a declared fan of Rani Mukerjee.
    10tumharabaap

    Great Movie! Good Solid Direction! Awesome Performances!!!

    Here's very briefly what the movie is about:

    It is the story of Helen Keller & Anne Mansfield Sullivan, suitably modified though, to nicely fit into the Bollywood mould.

    That however should not take anything away from the three main highlights of the film:

    Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Direction, Rani Mukherjee's execution of a difficult role, & Mr. Amitabh Bachchan!!!

    Bhansali is best at stories highlighting human struggle. And with this adaptation he comes up trumps once again. He also proves that if you have a great story & just one great actor in a meaty role, you have a hit on your hands. Strange how the so called moguls of Hindi cinema cannot see that!

    Rani Mukherjee's performance as the Indian Helen Keller (Michelle) is very commendable. It is just her misfortune that she was pitted against Amitabh Bachchan in the BEST Role (Devraj Sahay) of his life!!!

    Mr. Bachchan tends to dwarf everyone. To all those who doubt that he is the GREATEST Actor this country has produced, go watch Black. You will return transformed for life! From the moment he comes on screen, he mesmerizes you. And he holds you till the last frame of the movie. He gives you goose bumps with his performance. And to think that the effort doesn't even show...

    Now if only other film makers would give him roles worthy of his calibre as an actor, we could well have our first Best Actor Oscar ever. No kidding. Go see the film!

    And Oh! I almost forgot. The little girl who plays the young Michelle is the best child actor this author ever seen! And that includes the Macaulay Culkins & Haley Joel Osments of the world!

    Trust me! Go see the film!
    10mamamia123098

    Why don't people like it?

    Who cares if it's like Miracle Worker....it's still such a beautiful movie. And believe me, it's different and if you stupid, idiotic people can't remember, the movie was made in Helen Keller's honor and they spent a whole day at her institution. And the only it has in common to Miracle Worker is a Deaf and blind girl. The description of the blackness she sees and how in the end she helps Amitabh learn to remember is original.

    Black Shows darkness in a frightening, confusing, frustrating place, a whirlwind of emotion and anger. Michelle lives in a time where little can be done for her. Anger rots inside her for the frustration she feels for not seeing her sister's face or hear her mother's voice. She's a prisoner. She feels excluded. For hours upon hours she tries to scream but nothing comes out...just distorted noises that she can't even hear. Black is a living hell...until she meets Amitabh bachan's character....her brings light into Michelle's terrifying world.

    Rani Mukerji is fantastic and she is NOT annoying because you dumb haters just don't see the depth. And she was't just acting like she thought a deaf, mute,and blind person would. They actually spent a day at the institution. Though it strays from the typical musical/love story/gangster-beats-up-hero-but-he-doesn't-care-hes-bloody and/or is dying Indian movie( i think those movies are bull crap), its beautiful! Give it a chance! You'll really learn something!

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Unusually for a work by Bhansali, there are no songs featured in this film. So the background score became of paramount importance to the composer, Monty. To create more of an uplifting aura for the deaf-blind-mute character of Michelle McNally, he used pianos and strings, but kept the voices in the chorus at a low octave. For Debraj Sehai's character, a fighting spirit needed to be vocalized, so Monty used a little-known Middle Eastern instrument called a duduk.
    • Quotes

      Debraj Sahai: Life is an ice-cream. Enjoy it before it melts.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Koffee with Karan: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol & Rani (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      50 Steps
      Composed by Monty Sharma

      Courtesy of Yash Raj Music

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Black?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 4, 2005 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • Hindi
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zulmat
    • Filming locations
      • Afghan Church, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
    • Production companies
      • Applause Bhansali Productions
      • Applause Entertainment Ltd.
      • SLB Films Pvt. Ltd.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • ₹180,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $754,819
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $125,343
      • Feb 6, 2005
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,266,341
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 2m(122 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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