It is not ‘Black & White,’ it is brain dead!
The film tells the story of a ruthless Afghan terrorist, Numair Qazi (Anurag Sinha), who is sent to Delhi to blow himself up at the Red Fort during Independence Day celebrations in order to teach the non believers of the country a lesson.
Numair assumes the identity of a Muslim orphan from Gujarat whose parents were killed during communal mob violence in the state. On arrival in Delhi, 15 days before the planned suicide attack, Numair stays in Chandni Chowk with friends of the family of his assumed identity.
Later Numair is introduced to Professor Rajan Mathur (Anil Kapoor) who teaches Urdu literature in Zakir Hussain College.
Mathur and his wife Roma (Shefali Shah) are respected members of the community in Chandni Chowk. Qazi is advised by the leader of the terrorist network supporting him in Delhi to befriend Mathur and manipulate him to stay out of trouble and gain access to the Red Fort on Independence Day.
Over the next 15 days, as he prepares for the attack, Numair meets and interacts with the people of Chandni Chowk, including a modern Muslim college girl Shagufta.
His deep-rooted fundamental sensibilities are offended by the relaxed lifestyle of the Muslims in India and their warmth fails to touch him or sway him from his mission. He shuns both love and friendship staying focused on his goal almost till it is too late…
The backdrop for the film sounds interesting but that is where it all ends. Its scripting…well we don’t think it was scripted at all…just shot while Producer and Director Subhash Ghai chomped on hot samosas, readily available on the streets of Chandni Chowk, scratching his head wondering how to shoot enough footage to last 2 hours.
Characterization is confused and simplistic, Ghai’s understanding of the subject non existent and the acting by the entire cast listless, probably because of a total lack of conviction.
What on earth made Anil Kapoor agree to do the film?
We think Subhash Ghai should do what he does best - make leave-your-brains-at-home masala movies.
You don’t want to see Black & White.