I am reading Hellen Keller‘s autobiography “The Story Of My Life”, and midway my reading I realized that I have actually seen a movie based on this book.
Themovie was ‘Black‘ by ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali, released in 2005. This movie was based on the life of a deaf and blind girl Michelle, played by Rani Mukherji and in adult and child roles respectively. Amitabh Bachchan Played the role of Teacher, who helped the little girl understand the language and introduce her to a dignified and meaningful life. This movie was very well received by the critics at the time of it’s release.
When I watched it first, I didn’t enjoyed it much. It was too much over dramatic for me. Now after realizing that this movie is indeed based on a real person, I watched it again. Alas, again it was too much over dramatic. I decided to watch some other movie which is based on Hellen Keller, and I stumbled on “The Miracle Worker”.
After watching The miracle Worker, I realized just how much drama, we Indians love. 🙂
Firstly, the teacher is male, just so that they can introduce a love angle to the whole story. We do need romance, right? Remember that kiss between, Rani as Michelle, and double aged teacher, Amitabh Bachchan? Now, how could this kiss would have been possible if Teacher, would have been a female. Point to note, in reality, and in The Miracle Worker too, Teacher is the famous Anne Sullivan, who is still recognized for her teaching work done on Hellen.
In Black, almost every important scene is picked as it is from The Miracle Worker, including that famous, dinner table scene or introduction to first word, water, scene. Only difference being, the size and scale of emotions and drama is so high in Black, that it looks unrealistic. Teacher, is shown more like some crazy, brainy old fellow, rather then as a strict but compassionate Anne Sullivan.
To induce more drama, Alzheimer disease is also roped in, so that they can stretch the plot some more. But, to be on a fair side, it was not a documentary but rather a Bollywood movie. This does make it exceptional, as there are no songs and dance routine in the movie, but it’s not entirely a true story.
Still, better than the rest. Go enjoy it once again. Don’t forget to watch The Miracle Worker too, for a dose of realism.
My Journey So Far.... 
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