Kill Terrorism, Not the Terrorist:Shubash

Debutant Anurag Sinha and Anil Kapoor. More pics http:// photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2847235.cms

Subhash Ghai, who has returned to mainstream cinema after four years with last Friday’s release Black & White, is an ecstatic man.

Not because critics have been generous in their reviews of his new film. “No film has an unanimous review, and critics can be serious, humourous and in-between,” the filmmaker admits. His joy is derived from the fact that he has been successful in his first attempt at simply being different. This film is not a typical Ghai vehicle of glam and glitter which the star cast rides to the box office. Instead, it is a film based on an issue, and which appeals to the sensibilities and sesitivities of the viewer. “It takes time to grow on you,” Ghai says.

Black & White with Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah and debutant Anurag Sinha, is based on terrorism. And through the film, Ghai after provoking the viewer into serious thought, delivers a powerful message. “Kill terrorism, not the terrorist,” he says. “The film’s not intellectual, so don’t go to see it expecting that, because I have spoken my own language. It is also not of my genre, but I took it up because the subject touched me, I was fascinated by the plot. Terrorism anywhere in the world, is a serious problem, but what is enlightening and different in my film is how this threat is handled.”

Anurag is his discovery. As have been so many of Bollywood’s top stars from Jackie Shroff and Sanjay Dutt to Madhuri Dixit and Mahima Choudhary. His role in the film is 80 per cent silent and 20 per cent dialogue. “It is tough for any actor to convey a scene through silence,” reveals Ghai, “but Anurag has done it. And when he becomes vocal, he resonates, his voice, captures the mind and the heart.” His other actor, that old war-horse Anil Kapoor, has been a Ghai star from the filmmaker’s early days with Meri Jung. Why does he persist with Kapoor? Replies Ghai, pleased with his success formula, “Because he is fabulous, he has played all different kinds of roles for me, and there is a mutual trust between us. He simply goes for the script, doesn’t question my judgement or work. That’s my kind of actor.”

(c) 2008 The Times of India. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.