1 votes
Star Cast
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- Debraj Sahai
- Michelle McNally
- Catherine 'Cathy' McNally
- Young Michelle McNally
- Paul McNally
- Mrs. Gomes
- Principal Fernandes
- Mrs. Nair
- Sara McNally
- Dr. Mehta
+ More
Plot
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Based in Simla, the McNallys are an Anglo-Indian family consisting of Paul and his wife, Catherine. Both are full of joy when Catherine gives birth to a baby girl, Michelle, but their joy is short-lived when they are told that Michellle cannot see nor hear. Both attempt to bring up Michelle in their own protective way, as a result Michelle is not exposed to the real world, and becomes increasingly violent and volatile.
Things only get worse when Catherine gives birth to Sara, and Paul considers admitting Michelle in an asylum. It is here that Debraj Sahai enters their lives. Through his eager involvement, Michelle blossoms, grows, gives up her violence, even gets admitted in school with normal children. The years pass by, Michelle does not succeed in getting her graduation, and it is time for Debraj to bid adieu as he is having his own health problems.
12 years later, at the age of 40, Michelle does succeed in graduating in Arts, and it is shortly thereafter she will be re-united with her teacher. No longer the same alcoholic, eccentric, - but a bent older male, who cannot even remember speech, leave alone what he taught. Watch what happens when Michelle attempts to re-enter his 'blank' life.
Goofs
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No goofs found.
Taglines
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- An unending darkness... A world of shadows... A ray of light that found its way... A teacher's dream... A student's miracle... A valiant journey... From ignorance to knowledge... From darkness to ligh
Trivia
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- The shooting of the movie ran into trouble in Scenic Hill Resort, with authorities refusing to allow shooting in the premises of a heritage building. Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) refused permission to shoot in the 120-year-old building as the arc lights could affect the vice regal lodge heritage structure. The building was home to British viceroys from 1886 until 1947, after which it became the summer home of the president of India and since 30 years houses the IIAS.
- A fire broke out on the sets at Mumbai's Film City and four fire brigades were required to put out the fire.
- After declining Sanjay Leela Bhansali's first three films, Kareena Kapoor was finally accepted to do his film. Later on, Amitabh Bachchan refused to work with her because of the broken engagement of his son, Abhishek Bachchan and her sister, Karisma Kapoor so Rani Mukherjee stepped in.
- Rani Mukherjee wore dark-tinted contact lenses to cover up her famous green eyes.
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali named the film after his favorite color.
- The movie's title was registered with Kumar Gaurav; Sanjay Leela Bhansali approached him and requested him to relinquish the title, as he wanted it for his movies. Kumar felt that the film was bold and path breaking and wanted to render any help that he could to the film. Hence the reason Sanjay expressed his gratitude to Kumar Gaurav in the opening credits.
- At first, Rani Mukerjee refused to step in, because she felt that she was unable to play the character she was proposed
- 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.
- The film is based on screenwriter Prakash Kapadia's Gujarati play "Aatam Vinjhe Paankh", which was inspired from "The Miracle Worker"
- Director Bhansali hoped to make a film that was an extension of his critically acclaimed (box office flop) debut film Khamoshi: The Musical (1996). Both were based on a visit he made to the Helen Keller Institute.
Quotes
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- Debraj Sahai: Come... into... the light!
- Debraj Sahai: Your world is not black!
- Michelle McNally: I know now that there is God... He is not in the Holy Spirit we pray to... He isn't written about in religious texts... He is someone who is a part of our lives... Whom we live for... Because of whom we live...
- Debraj Sahai: Yes, that's right, life's a big ice-cream. Have it before it melts.
Awards
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- Popular Award
Event: Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
Result: Won
Category: Best Actress in a Leading Role
Recipient(s): Rani Mukherjee - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Film - Critics
Recipient(s): Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Film
Recipient(s): Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Editing
Recipient(s): Bela Segal - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Director
Recipient(s): Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Cinematography
Recipient(s): Ravi K. Chandran - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Background Score
Recipient(s): Monty - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Actress - Critics
Recipient(s): Rani Mukherjee - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Actress
Recipient(s): Rani Mukherjee - Filmfare Award
Event: Filmfare Awards
Result: Won
Category: Best Actor - Critics
Recipient(s): Amitabh Bachchan