Click to play videoEach week we ask you to send in your reviews and opinions about the new films and we often read out the most interesting ones on CNN-IBN’s Now Showing. For the last seven days we have been receiving your reviews on Ram Gopal Varma’s Nishabd and we decided to go the extra mile this time.
CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand read out four of the film’s most interesting reviews to Nishabd’s leading man Amitabh Bachchan.
Rajeev Masand: Just two weeks ago you told us that you were very keen to project this film correctly. You didn’t want people to get the impression that it was a sleazy film. So, are you surprised by the mixed reactions the film has received?
Amitabh Bachchan: Yes, a bit. Perhaps, the way it was projected during its release and the publicity, maybe, gave the people to understand that this is some kind of a lascivious relationship, but it is not one. We kept insisting without disclosing too much of the facts of the film that it is not a physical or sexual relationship. And questions regarding why it happened or ‘how can he do it?’ are very odious. This is not a moral or social issue at all.
Rajeev Masand: Normally, on this show we encourage viewers to write in their own reviews of the films they have seen and whether they liked or disliked them. I would like to tell you some of the reactions that we have received on Nishabd.
Veenu says, “It is a good attempt. I am not sure why some people feel it’s against our culture considering human beings and their feelings are the same all over the world.”
While Soomi says, “Movies should not be made only to tell good things and happy stories. Films should also address negative things in society otherwise how else would people be able to differentiate between right and wrong.”
“I know it’s a moviemakers right to experiment but what falters in this film is the script. What I found odd in this film is the insistence that the attraction between the lead couple is not meant to be a sexual one. If passion exists it’s got to be the only one thing or nothing,” says Ravi Kiran.
Sunil expresses his viewpoint saying, “I can’t believe that Amitabh Bachchan and RGV have made such a shameful film without considering the sentiments of the Indian people. There are good and bad people in the world. Why make a film about such bad people?”
Amitabh Bachchan: We will go to the negative ones first. Well, to each his own. This is a democratic society and everyone has a right to express their opinion. There is a lot that we do in cinema that is not necessarily done to educate or alter society and its morals. If it were then why aren’t we noticed? When we prevent any kind of atrocities towards the minorities for example. Have we ever shown in our films that communal violence is a good thing? We have always derided it but no one ever pays us a compliment when we do that.
At the same time we appreciate the fact that people notice these things and find that this is objectionable. But I feel that if you truly watch a film with creative intent in mind then you really ought to watch this film. For the fact that a creative person has devised the situation, albeit in the world of fantasy and make believe, and then made a film around it. That needs to be looked at rather than a look at the larger picture.
Rajeev Masand: Personally, was it difficult to play such a morally questionable character? Did you find the character morally questionable?
Amitabh Bachchan: No, not at all because I think the moot point has been, perhaps, missed by the people who are critical of the film. And that is that he is not doing away with his wife and daughter. He is not bringing this girl to sleep with him in his bedroom.
There was a moment in his life where he expressed his emotions very honestly. He had the guts to go up to his wife and tell her that. And yet when his own brother-in-law, who was more a confidante and a friend, apprised him or questioned him on whether he thought that an 18-year-old had the mind and the maturity to understand this relationship. He does say no and that is a very valid point.
He does ask this girl to leave. He finally rejects her. But you know, you and me may outwardly, for various reasons, express certain things. But there are some things within us which we want to keep within us. But the fact that I liked intensely is the way he says ‘I want to kill myself everyday but just the thought of wanting to live in her memory for one extra day brings me back.’
Rajeev Masand: A lot of people say that the film stuck its neck out but not far enough. People would have liked to see what would have happened had he acted upon this relationship. Perhaps, if they would have been together. Do you think there was a chance?
Amitabh Bachchan: The ones who are saying this ought to make another film. Let them do that themselves if we have missed out on something.
Rajeev Masand: Best of luck and looking forward to seeing some more wonderful performances. I personally think that you were great in Nishabd.
Amitabh Bachchan: Thank you.
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