Aamir Khan has called Black insensitive. Comment.
Aamir is a free individual in a free society. He has the freedom to express his
opinions. I cannot understand why he finds the film ‘insensitive and manipulative’. All story- telling, at times, tends to touch areas which are sensitive. They could have been done to achieve dramatic impact, emotional expression or effective endings. Remember, we as film makers, dwell almost unabashedly on that unwritten mantra of bringing poetic justice in our stories. That has been the most remarkable quality inhabiting the reason behind the popularity of Indian cinema.What about Aamir’s opinion that Black was manipulative?
‘Manipulative’ …hmmm… the clever and sometimes devious means of controlling or influencing people, is also an accepted ingredient in a film. We need the attention of the audience towards the product. We need to sufficiently influence them in order for them to remain attracted to the product till the last. If not for a lifetime, at least for the duration of the film. So in a sense, every film is manipulative.
Aamir seems unhappy with this traditional way of establishing character and narrative mood.
If Aamir is unhappy with this, let him demonstrate otherwise. I would be keen and anxious to educate myself on any prospective change that he might introduce to cinema. With due respect, all the films that he features in and that I have had the great pleasure in watching, have all adhered to the very qualities that he dislikes in Black. From using the distinct handicap, or to be politically correct, challenged condition, of a crippled human in his cricket team in Lagaan, to the ‘sensitivities’ of a blind girl in Fanaa.
Has Aamir expressed his misgivings about Black to you?
In a private meeting after the release of Black, Aamir had told me of his reservations on the film. He had not liked it. He had issues, he said. He told me the film did not work for him because he disagreed with the voice-over of Rani as soon as the film started. The argument being, if the girl is deaf, dumb and blind how can she have a voice-over! Till date, I have not been able to understand that remark. Maybe you can.
He has also called the performances in Black “over-the-top”. Comment.
I cannot comment whether my performance was towering or not, but Aamir may be right on the other maybe the performances did go ‘over the top’ of his head!
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