Black is one of the most powerful and emotional films ever made in Indian cinema. Directed by the brilliant Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this 2005 drama stars Rani Mukerji and Amitabh Bachchan in unforgettable roles. The film was inspired by the life of Helen Keller and her autobiography, The Story of My Life. Rani plays Michelle McNally, a young woman who is both deaf and blind, while Amitabh plays her teacher, Debraj Sahai, a strict but loving mentor who later battles Alzheimer’s disease.
Black received both critical and commercial success. It won numerous awards, including three National Film Awards, and was praised for its storytelling, direction, and especially its performances. But did you know Rani Mukerji was not sure about doing the movie when it was first offered to her?
In a report by Filmfare, Rani revealed that she was initially hesitant when Sanjay Leela Bhansali approached her for the role of Michelle. It wasn’t because she didn’t like the story or didn’t want to work with the director. In fact, Rani had been a huge fan of Bhansali’s work after watching Devdas and was excited by the chance to work with him.
However, Rani admitted that she wasn’t confident she could play such a challenging role. Michelle is a character who cannot hear or see, and Rani had never imagined playing someone like that. She shared, “At first I was very reluctant to do the film. Not because I didn’t believe in the film or the role, but because I didn’t believe I could do justice to such a difficult part. I told Sanjay – are you sure you want me to do this role? I’ve never done anything like this before.”
It was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s strong belief in Rani that gave her the courage to accept the role. He told her that he had full faith in her talent and would support her throughout the process. He also promised to help her prepare by introducing her to real people with speech, sight, and hearing impairments. This helped Rani understand Michelle’s world better.
Rani trained intensely for the role. She worked hard to get the body language, expressions, and emotions of Michelle right. And it all paid off. Her performance in Black is considered one of the best of her career. Critics and audiences praised her for bringing Michelle to life in such a realistic and touching way.
Today, Black is remembered as a classic and a turning point in Rani Mukerji’s film journey. It showed how an actor’s dedication and a director’s vision can come together to create cinematic magic. Rani’s fear turned into strength, and with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s guidance, she gave a performance that will always be remembered.
