Nishabd (2007) User Reviews

Nishabd is Varma's conscious attempt to avoid clichés and stereotypes.

[sumanbarthakursmailbox · 6/10 · 20 December 2009]

In director Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd,newcomer Jiah Khan plays an 18-year-old temptress who initiates and entices her classmate's 60-year-old father into a complex, inexplicable relationship while she's staying with the family at their hill-station home one summer. Amitabh Bachchan plays the man in question, who finds himself falling for this brash, spoilt teenager who's showering him with the kind of attention he hasn't experienced before. Despite working off a script that borrows generously from the Drew Barrymore thriller Poison Ivy, Ram Gopal Varma makes it very clear he's back in form as he sinks his teeth into what is perhaps his first all-out emotional, character drama. Varma casts a mood of gloominess, a sense of impending doom all over this film, which is reminiscent of the manner in which he'd treated Bhoot. What I like about Nishabd is Varma's conscious attempt to avoid clichés and stereotypes. The affair takes place not sneakily and surreptitiously, but right under the nose of Bachchan's wife and daughter who are just too naïve to read all the signs. When the affair is finally discovered, there's none of that typical filmi-style screaming and shouting, instead Varma treats the moment realistically using shock and silence to convey the sense of feeling betrayed.Admirably, the director's decided not to spoon-feed his audience by explaining every character's every motivation. While it's more or less clear why Jiah falls for Bachchan, you are yourself expected to interpret his reason for responding to her affections. It could be the thrill of physical intimacy to a nubile, young girl. It could stem from a sense of responsibility he feels towards her. It could be a momentary lapse of judgement on his part, or then the result of suppressed apathy he feels towards his frumpy wife. I suspect it's everything put together. Because much of Nishabd is shot in real time - the entire second half to be specific - it does seem too long and too stretched out, especially since there isn't very much happening. But don't be fooled, that's exactly the mood Varma's going for. Remember, Nishabd is essentially about loneliness, and this leisurely pace that Varma creates for the film only contributes to that feeling of loneliness.I suspect most people, women particularly are going to have a problem with the film's ending. As much as I'd like to elaborate, I won't because saying any more here will give away too much. I must confess I had a problem with the film's ending myself, but for another reason completely - I feel it's a cop-out. A compromise ending to a bold, brave story. I could have predicted the ending, and it's no fun when that happens. How I wish Varma had pushed the envelope all the way and gone with a truly bold ending that us regular Hindi-film junkies would never have predicted and would have been totally surprised by! For the most part, Nishabd is watchable because it's held together by a truly awe-inspiring performance by Amitabh Bachchan. Unlike other clearly defined roles that are like a road map for actors while constructing their performance, his role in Nishabd is one that has no reference point. It's a performance that Bachchan creates out of thin air, based on his own understanding of the character. Remember the toughest roles to play are the ones that are too simple, too normal. It's not easy playing an average joe, but Bachchan does it marvelously. Watch him in the scene where he breaks into a laugh in the middle of the night, or watch him in that pre-intermission scene where Jiah confronts him with her feelings, or even that scene where he's singing to himself much to his wife's surprise -- everything from his expressions, his dialogue delivery, even the movement of his eyes! It's difficult to imagine any other actor doing justice to a part so simple and therefore so difficult to play. His co-star Jiah Khan is perfectly cast as the troubled girl who's very aware of her effect on this man. Wearing her sexuality on her sleeve, Jiah sashays in and out of scenes, showing so much thigh, you feel like you're in a mutton shop. Also is it just me or did you also notice that Jiah seems to be suffering from a Sharon Stone complex, she's constantly uncrossing her legs -- when she's standing, when she's sitting, when she's lying around on the floor -- everywhere. I don't think there's a single scene in the film where she's got her legs together. All said and considered, Nishabd is bold even though it doesn't overstep the invisible moral line. It is, nonetheless, an experiment on Varma's part because it's unconventional in every sense - the narrative is not linear, the pace is leisurely and the plot itself is brave. For these reasons I suspect there will be many who will not embrace it. Which is fine. It makes you uncomfortable and shifty and even restless at times. It's everything that makes for a good character study. Give it a try.

Little bold and a bit beautiful

[from_christmas_past · 5/10 · 5 March 2007]

I tried to watch this movie keeping "Lolita" and "poison ivy" out of mind. After all, the 'old man falling for a young girl' is not new in Hollywood by any stretch of imagination. This movie is purely for Indian audiences, many of whom may have never seen "Lolita", and therefore its purpose is to introduce an 'alien' subject to bollywood. So far, so good!!

Nishabd starts well. A young girl Jiah captures her friend's father's heart by being unusually carefree and unbelievably audacious. While her 'take light' attitude is conveniently attributed to her Australian upbringing and a troubled childhood, the scenes showing Amitabh's growing attraction towards her are well presented. Here, i must mention the young actress Jiah Khan. She fits the part completely- physically and phonetically. Using her extra-provocative body language and always-uncrossed legs, she brings to life a manipulative and headstrong young girl with a selfish motive of enticing an old man. Amitabh is reliable, though monotonous, and speaks volumes through his eyes.

Jiah's and amitabh's growing infatuation for each other is pasted against picturesque backdrops of Munnar (kerala) and up to the interval, the movie is very much watchable ( sometimes, entertaining). As traces of sexual tension are clearly visible and the affair being still a secret form the household, you anticipate a path breaking second-half.

This is where things go wrong. By the time jiah and amitabh confront each other with their feelings, the bollywood's morality fever has returned. Nishabd makes the elementary and hackneyed mistake of grouping love and lust in the same bracket. The way the first half is shown, the only conclusion you can draw is that both the protagonists are sexually attracted to each other. Yet, the director identifies these lustful feelings as love and leaves you confused. This is, undoubtedly, done because it would have been difficult to convince the Indian people that the base of an unconventional relationship is lust, not love. Since 'love conquers all' and is much 'purer' and acceptable than lust, people must respect it. For, however important age difference is, love is love and it is OK if it happens to anyone, isn't it? As a reviewer rightly put: "This movie fits the moral envelope, but it never tries to push it." THe movie makes a brilliant point about how an old man's impending death can lead him to unexperienced joys in the world like young bodies, yet it fails to recognize the relationship as raw infatuation. I can understand how important it is for the movie's commercial success to call lust as love, but i expected RGV to be bolder and give us a more radical story.

Nishabd is still not a total disappointment. The photography is beautiful and you can't help but want to visit munnar after watching. The acting is top-notch and Jiah khan is certainly a find. But, above all, nishabd is the latest in the series of bollywood films this year that have gradually taken us toward more relevant and intelligent cinema. Nishabd deserves credit for addressing a bold issue and on the whole, for being a part of bollywood revolution towards better films, though we haven't reached there yet.

I Have Iiked him in a lot of other movies more.

[bjk1949 · 4/10 · 13 May 2007]

This movie did not give Mr. Bachchan justice. He is a great actor and I was very disappointed in the movie and there was not much plot to it. Matter a fact this is the first movie I have ever been disappointed in with him in it. It starts out with her coming to his home with his daughter and he is a photographer. He takes pictures of her in the garden has she's hosing herself down. He is a sixty year old man that has nothing to do but to take pictures of this girl. The movie makes no sense. The whole movie is about her chasing him around and her telling him how much she cares about him. Then his daughter falls and he has to take this girl around places so she is not bored and is daughter finds out. I just didn't think this movie was up to Bachchan's standards. He is better than this movie. I always pictured him as an upstanding person and then I seen him in this movie and I couldn't picture him in this movie. The movie didn't hold my interest at all. I couldn't wait until the movie was over. And you won't either.

The sum of parts is less than the whole

[AvinashPatalay · 12 October 2010]

"Nishabd" strictly speaking could have translated into the missing link between "Lolita" and "Cheeni Kum". RGV toyed with the media in an attempt to garner free publicity. The provoked media in turn added fuel to the fire. And finally the audience oscillated between speculation and fantasising. "Nishabd" as it finally turned out to be wasn't anything RGV/ media/ audience wanted.

"Nishabd" is a visual treat, you will fall in love with nature. Kudos to Amit Roy showcasing his talent of holding the camera. The background score is engaging. The single song Big B sings is good to listen thought doesn't blend in with the storyline. Technically the movie is brilliant. Every actor gives a calibrated performance. The audience gets an opportunity to see the subtlety which Big B manages to portray on the screen. There are many scenes as per the the conventional Bollywood rules could have dictated to be made as over-the-top. But RGV breaks away from the norm and makes it surreal.

Sadly all the goodness fails to make it a wholesome product. "Nishabd" is good in parts and at a few places it does not integrate with the spinal cord. Better writing and screenplay was warranted to convincingly flesh out the attraction between the pair in question. The audience had a serious disconnect on this front. Jiah Khan's character wasn't fleshed out adequately especially attempting to portray a product from a broken family goes astray on moral front. On the same note the character of the rest of the cast namely Revati, Shraddha, Nasser & Aftab are well written.

When a man falls in love with a girl of twenty, it isn't her youth he is seeking but his own. ~Lenore Coffee

Story OK... Treatment....err...

[Manraviel · 3/10 · 1 March 2007]

There is nothing wrong with showing an old man falling in love with a young girl. Lolita did it. American Beauty did it.

But. They did it subtly. They did not make it so apparent from the start that the director is gearing them up to make them fall in love with each other. Not as naturally as two people would (Age no bar) but forcing them to be around each other as if they were SUPPOSED to fall in love.

All in all, there should have been chemistry. It would have solved the biggest problem. People with reservations against the subject would also have been engrossed and perhaps convinced. It would have become the perfect love story, no matter the impracticality.

I found it difficult to believe Jia's character at times. What I found more difficult to understand, is why Vijay - a photographer and an artist, who seems serious - would have had an interest in a girl so frivolous. Unless he himself has some frivolousness hidden in himself, which did not come out at all.

There is a lot of use of Dutch angles or angles in which the frame is tilted. It is generally used to show something unnatural or something that might lead to something that is not right. So RGV is himself calling the relationship unnatural.

The camera angles, background score, editing, and even the juxtaposition of shots and symbology emphasises and overemphasises their relationship. Is the Indian audience so dumb that we need to be told something in 10 different ways for us to understand? Especially when the two of them were dancing together... it was apparent what was happening. What was the need of slowing the scene down with dramatic background music? I feel the subject was very well chosen. But Verma should not have made the film with the fact in mind constantly that this is a controversial subject. If it is, then handle it delicately, why don't you?

have to suspend disbelief to believe it

[bojo-10 · 3/10 · 8 June 2007]

Good attempt at tackling the unconventional topic of May-December romances. However, the treatment is totally unrealistic. Sure, sixty-year old men can and do fall for younger women, but they're usually adult women with whom they share common interests and values and viewpoints ... not neurotic, immature near-underage girls. Of course there are exceptions, and they come close to being called pedophiles! Sorry RGV, but it's not credible that a sane and accomplished sexagenarian would throw away a comfortable family life and become a joke to his peers ... all for an 18-yr old that doesn't have a practical thought in her head and that behaves like an unstable escapee from a mental institution. You don't have to have a PhD in Psychology to see that Amitabh's character is seduced by sex, and that the young woman has unresolved abandonment and daddy issues.

As for the recurring scene of Vijay perched on the edge of a cliff, contemplating suicide, that's about as close as he comes to having anything in common with Jiah, by behaving like a smitten teenage boy.

On a positive note: the actors did a good job, and cinematography good.

Interesting, but not bold enough

[apant · 7/10 · 3 March 2007]

In my opinion, Nishabd is a fairly well-made film. RGV tackles an unconventional theme - I won't call it bold, at least not bold enough - with remarkable ease. The director uses his signature style of very tight close-ups to great effect. Of course, the camera cannot enter the minds of the characters, but it comes very close. Through every minute expression, every twitch of the facial muscles, it shows you what the characters are thinking and feeling. And if you have an actor like Amitabh Bachchan, that only heightens the impact.

The absence of a plot actually works to the film's advantage. The film moves forth in a languorous fashion, which can be irritating to some viewers, but for me it worked well. It gave me all the time to witness and reflect upon the events as they lazily unfolded themselves. It gave me the time to savour the subtle directorial touches.

Yes, it also gave me enough opportunity to think about what could have been done differently. But that's precisely what I expect from a fulfilling movie-going experience - an opportunity to watch a movie at an emotional as well as a rational level: from the heart as well as the head.

The director opts for blue as the predominant color in the palette he uses to paint his vision of a May-November romance between his lead characters Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) and Jiah (Jiah Khan). Each and every scene, even when it captures the breathtakingly beautiful and lush locales of Munnar, is bathed in a blue hue. Now that's an interesting color for a tale like this.

At the most obvious level, blue stands for romance and in that respect seems completely harmonious with the theme. If we really get into various kinds of symbolisms, blue also stands for virtues like truth, honesty and fidelity. And that's a delightful contrast from what we see in the relationship between Vijay and Amrita (Revathy). I can't say what RGV's real idea behind using this colour was, maybe I'm seeing too much into a device used merely to present a pretty picture, but to me it opens up a number of interesting possibilities.

Interestingly, elements of incongruity crop up in other areas as well - whether it's the quirky camera movement or the very out-of-character background music. While the story itself moves at a leisurely pace, the camera moves all over the place almost in an intrusive fashion. Ditto for the brilliant background music by Amar Mohile - the hammering, thriller-like background score is in perpetual conflict with the sensitivity of romance on the screen.

I don't take these incongruities as faults, though I must admit they were quite distracting at times. I thought that the very fact that they were in stark contrast with the film itself was an interesting way to depict the inner conflict of the characters. Rules of conventional film-making would say that the camera movements and music should be in tune with what's being depicted on film, but when has RGV followed rules or conventions? Now for the compromises - RGV clearly shies away from including any sexual angle to this unusual love story. Given the way the unashamedly voyeuristic camera (and to an extent the writing) has a field day presenting Jiah Khan as a sex object - the extra-short dresses, the wet scene (ah, this predilection of Hindi commercial filmmakers for showing heroines getting wet in a white saree!! Only, the white saree gets replace by a white shirt worn over an almost non existent pair of shorts), over-emphasis on showing her naked legs, and Jiah Khan's defiantly sexual demeanour - it is certain that the director had all the intentions of showing lust as the trigger for the relationship, but probably had to compromise on that aspect because of the demigod status of his lead actor.

This is one area where the disconnect between the technique and the content works to the film's detriment. The story would have been much more interesting and realistic if this aspect had been adequately explored. Much as I am in absolute awe of Amitabh Bachchan and think that his performance in Nishabd is one of his finest, I can't help admitting that his presence in the film dilutes the impact of the film. RGV clearly develops cold feet and refrains from adding any dirty thoughts into his male protagonist's mind; yet his camera is not quite convinced and continues to explore the baser emotions.

The other big compromise that RGV had to make also stems from trying to show Vijay in a more favorable light. There was no reason to add that monologue justifying/ rationalizing the attraction between a 60 year old man and an 18 year old kid - "an old man gets attracted to a young girl because he wants to hold on to his youth" - Phew!. I strongly believe that love, even when it is triggered by lust, does not always have a straight-forward reason, but is in fact a very complex psychological thing that cannot always be rationalized.

It is here that you just can't help thinking that the film definitely needed to take its title seriously: some things are better left unsaid - Nishabd.

Awful does not even begin to describe this nonsense!

[Sherazade · 1/10 · 21 August 2007]

And the worst part is that it could have been good. But something horribly wrong. First thing first, they should not have cast Amitabh Bachchan in this film at all. He is too much of an Icon to tackle such a delicate and controversial topic let alone the role itself.

Secondly, Ram Gopal Varma ought to be ashamed of himself for taking the classic story of Lolita and turning it into a pathetic predictable slut-fest. His Lolita is named Jia (played by newcomer Jiah Khan) and when we meet her, she is devoid of any inkling of stolen innocence or that delicate naivety that one would normally associate with the complicated tale of the original Lolita who in the original story, gradually becomes nymphet. Varma's Jia is already a whore with her eye on the prize even even before the camera meets her. And he exercises no chastity in the way his films his leading nymphet. From constant panning shots of her crotch to fixations on her vulgar gestures and mannerisms, Mr. Varma makes sure he has left not one person in the audience less than uncomfortable with his voyeuristic pedophile camera angles.

Oh and let's not talk about the non-existent chemistry between Jia and her so-called friend Ritu (Bachchan's character's daughter). These girls are supposed to be best friends yet look like worst enemies even before anything goes wrong between them. Nothing they do together is believable until they become enemies. Maybe Mr. Varma should have worked on that aspect of his script rather than focusing on destroying any credibility Amitabh Bachchan might have had left as an actor.

The worst part of the movie is perhaps the subservient portrayal of the character of Bachchan's character's wife. Her role was so underwritten and ridiculously wooden that it's impossible to actually feel any pity or concern for her. I actually felt like reaching into the screen slapping her for not reacting like any normal woman would. Instead she just stood there looking Irritated and Helpless, as I imagine much of the viewers of this film might feel after watching this train-wreck of a film. Watch at your own risk.

Excellent! Ignore the critics, this one is worth a watch.

[DesiBaba · 8/10 · 14 December 2009]

I wish there were more movies like this made in Bollywood instead of the family dramas with unrealistic romantic sequences and the predictable happy endings. Without a doubt the best RGV movie I have seen since Rangeela. Amitabh was perfect as a 60yo Vijay, married and bogged down by the monotony of life, yet living what appears to be a "happy" married life with "no complaints". Jiah Khan is also excellent as Jia, especially given that this is her first movie. In keeping with the tone of the movie there are no songs/dance sequences (thank god for that!). RGV has chosen a very talented bunch of actors, they all excel at their roles, there is no melodrama that is typically associated with scenes regarding infidelity etc., emotions are shown in a much more subtle fashion. Well done RGV!

Not Lolita, and not bad either.

[VirginiaK_NYC · 7/10 · 2 March 2007]

I've been saying that I'd like to see Amitabh Bachchan in a role where he is vulnerable and confused, instead of being the wisdom figure he's been stuck in in too many roles by now, and Ram Gopal Varma has granted my wish. This movie mostly succeeds in creating complex, believable, and interesting major characters, and I'd say the overall story is a good one, even including the ending which a few of the few reviews I've read weren't satisfied with. It did not disappoint me psychologically.

I am glad someone has given AB a role like this, and hope it's the first of many. I feel sure he's happy about it himself, as I've heard him talk a bit ruefully about all the father/patriarchs he gets called to do. This is a real acting job, the creation of an individual character, with the camera almost always on his face, photographed in a naturalistic way that gives us his age, his true skin color, and his sad-eyed good looks. We also see a lot of his hands, and I think it's intentional - a constant reminder of his age, as they show it the most, especially as RGV photographs them.

It's not Lolita (so many people seem to say it is), but the 18-year-old girl Vijay, AB's 60 year old character, falls in love with is neither mature nor well put together, either.

When we first meet her, with her abundant beauty and lovely body, and her crass behavior and flauntiness, I worried that RGV was going to be trying to sell me this package of annoyances as purely lovable and "sassy." But I ended up feeling that she was very well-drawn and that he knew what he was doing: you can see her through the eyes of Vijay, whose need for something seems to be met in her youth, beauty, and liveliness - but Varma also shows her to you through the eyes of "some other adult" -- a grown woman (me, say), a man who's immune to her, etc. She is pretty and sexy-acting, has some idea of her sexual power and tries to use it, but she is also unquestionably a psychological mess, a mixed-up little girl who displays and provokes. A stroke or two of background info, not made much of, grounds a perception of somebody whose needs are all over the place.

She's come to visit from Australia. Her skimpy, sexy outfits -- shorts, tiny skirts, and the like -- are nothing that would be at all unusual in any western country during hot weather, and the Indian family she's visiting doesn't pay attention to them either. Somebody just looking at her body, as the camera often does (but not vulgarly, I'd say) might be captivated by "sex appeal," but anyone paying attention to her behavior -- for example, tickling Amitabh's foot with her own foot at the dinner table, with her friend and the mom present, or running off with the camera he is teaching her to operate, dropping it, and being petulant rather than apologetic -- anybody attending to all that sees a loose cannon.

The movie is a lot of close-ups and a lot of photography of the tea plantation where the family lives, all shot so it looks a dull green all the time. The holding of the tonality so even allows, I think, for our sustained focus on the emotional developments. Also, the story is squarely about Vijay, and he lives in a place that is like this, relatively muted.

I don't think I felt Vijay's "happiness" as much as recognizing it, and that may be a weakness of the performance. I have always found AB a great silent broadcaster of the emotions like sadness, regret, deep concern, and those gifts of his are well-used here. I liked the performance of Revathi as his wife, who conveyed calm, intelligent, mature contentment with her family and life.

Good within its defined boundaries

[m_shankar20 · 5/10 · 13 March 2007]

Nishabd, within a few minutes, establishes its magnitude. It neither has the scale nor the ambition of 'American Beauty' (on which many claim it is modeled) or 'Satya' (Ramgopal Varma's tour de force). In fact, works of Ramgopal Varma like Rangeela far surpass Nishabd in scope. Once the viewer grasps this fact, Nishabd starts making sense.

It's a story of a 60 year old man falling in love with an 18 year old girl. This is no suspense and in fact is inscribed on the posters of the film itself. Ramgopal Varma does not add any more frills to that. That's all there is. It does not try to explain the rationale behind why the protagonists fall in love. The other characters become peripheral in the sense that the film does not try to explain the impact on their lives. In spite of this, Nishabd turns out to be a decent film because, as I said, Nishabd limits its scope. Ramgopal Varma wants to tell a straight story just about the two lovers.

Now, that puts a lot of pressure on the love story itself, since there is nothing else. It has to have intensity, tension and realism. That is where Varma succeeds and fails on and off. He has tried to derive the whole intensity out of a love that seems to operate more on a mental level, especially from Vijay's (Amitabh Bachchan) side. There is not much physical aspect to it except touches, a peck on the cheek and a trivial contact of lips. It is a challenge for the viewer to connect to such mind-games-romance. Can two people fall in love, never mind their age, in a week (I guess that is the time frame) over a few outings to tea estates? I don't know, just as at times I don't know love at all. But still, I'll concede, it works to quite an extent.

Nishabd hinges steadfastly on performances. Everybody delivers. Jiah Khan makes an impressive debut. She is beautiful, she is a natural and she is effective. And then there is Amitabh Bachchan - the old war horse who has seen it all. He is outstanding. His eyes pierce. He conveys every emotion that Ramgopal Varma might have wanted him to, and probably more.

The film is alright technically - there wasn't much challenge at the first place I guess. The camera does too much though. It would have done much better staying still than moving sideways all the time. Locations are beautiful.

Watch Nishabd for performances. Watch it if you want to find answers yourself as to why people fall in love with most unexpected of the people under most unexpected of the places and situations. Don't watch if you want the film to answer for you.

Awesome!!!

[suraj-17 · 9/10 · 2 July 2009]

This movie is art in its pure form. Right from the very beginning when the protagonist is shown you will sit and watch throughout if you are an actual film-lover because it contains all aspects of film-making in its true sense: whether you take its background-score or its photography or its dialogues, everything is set to perfection. The movie does progresses a bit slow but it couldn't have been faster as well. Ram Gopal Verma has proved how he can bring the best out of his actors by never making us feel an inch about Jiah Khan's debut in the same movie. This movie did create controversies as being the wrong trend-setter for the coming generations when the people should have noticed the strong flavor of reality of life shown in the movie with very supported justifying dialogues for every portrayal of so called 'against culture'. This is film-making at its best.

American Beauty goes Bollywood, by way of Ayn Rand

[ajji-2 · 6/10 · 3 May 2007]

While early word on this film was "Bollywood's Lolita", it's actually more like a subdued "Indian Beauty". Only, in this case the protagonist is not a loser, but a rather dignified old gent, well-respected and loved by his wife and daughter. The director claims that some of the inspiration for the story came from the real- life entanglement of Ayn Rand and Netthil Brandon, her young male disciple (both parties were married to other people at the time). Could be, but the shadow of American Beauty nonetheless looms over this film.

Amitabh Bachhan has developed a penchant for playing his roles a bit too stoically in his 'second innings' at the cinema (that and his stupid goatee make it look like he's always playing just another side to the same character), but conveys the feelings and emotions of his character reasonably well. Jiah Khan, the newcomer, does better in a difficult role that is deceptively shrill and tacky, but is actually quite insightfully written if you can see beyond the attitude. What is poorly written is the way the relationship develops between the old man and the sassy nymphet, and the roles of the wife and daughter are also under- written. That is especially a shame in the case of Revathy, as she is such a good actress. There is also an over-reliance on blue filters and panoramic shots of nature, and a general tendency to skirt the seamier or more base aspects of the relationship. In other words, "no sex please, we're Indian". Which is odd, since the director is clearly interested in exploiting (to some degree) the physical attributes of our young heroine, judging from the way he shoots her (to be fair, that dilemma has plagued Indian cinema for ages). He just doesn't seem to have the nerve to go all the way with his desires, which makes for an uneven tone for the film's basic story.

On the plus side, the film is devoid of stupid song and dance numbers (a couple of gentle tunes aside), and does pose some intriguing questions (even if the resolutions provided to some of the problems raised, are a wee bit too pat). An interesting experiment, but with not with enough conviction to follow through to the end, it is only partially successful. From a filmmaker like Ram Gopal Verma, more was expected than is delivered here.

Neither an American Sweet heart, nor Lolita, this Jia is just a spoilt brat !

[Queen_of_pentacles · 4/10 · 20 March 2007]

Amitabh and Jiah Khan, raised great expectations, by their press conferences, though it was quite easy for the critics, and the fans too, that after all, this much hyped, Ram Gopal Verma Factory product, is going to fall flat on it's face, in all the probabilities ! Why, because Jiah was so immature and childish, and Bacchan, mixed up guilty, and unsure . they themselves didn't know, what the hell they were talking about, to the press, keeping up with the tag line, that some love stories are not to be understood, or some such rubbish ! Why the title is Nishabd ? Ramu needs to refresh his knowledge of Sanskrit, as Vidhu Vinod needs to study Mahabharata, tagging in line, another glorious flop of the year, Eklavya ! Comparison with the Sweet hearts, and Lolit's is inevitable, as the so-called plot line is supposed to have inspired by them. but sadly, Ramu has hardly made any serious effort, to delve deeply into the psyche of the aging, and the young ones. is lolly pop sucking the ultimate indicator of the innocence ? and contrary to that streak of childishness, the leg show at the dining table, with a Vijay, that is Bacchan in that role, bursting into squeals of shameless laughter incessantly after wards ? this girl, is in fact at her seductive game, luring poor Vijay to think, she is in love with him. the legs,too are skinny enough, and that act of putting the water hose through the legs, is down right obscene. it's beyond any one's understanding, how can a girl , coming as a guest to some body's house, can be so brazen, brash, and over powering ? and why the hell that stupid wife, played by Revathi, remarkably well, though scripted poorly, and characterized unrealistically, encourages her own husband, to dance with a sexily saying young girl ? that part of Vijay, trying to gain some refreshers to his humdrum life is absolute bullshit. because, apparently it seems that he is happy as he is, with a well settled life, and a hobby to recreate. This reminds of Blame it on Rio, the older daddy, and his young love, superbly played by Michael Caine. Bacchan looks terrible in close ups, and over all, where as kevin spacey and Jeremy Irons looked debonair and handsome, which is why the young chicks some times get attracted to older men, for their charming persona, compared to the vulnerability of young boys of their age. only good thing about this movie is those green , sprawling land scapes , winding roads, and pleasant cinematography. no substance, or even any sparkling show of emotions, drama , or even intriguing, stormy sex like in Lolita, this shallow movie has no wonder, fallen flat on it's face, and had to be wound up from the screens during first weeks ! next time round, before mindlessly copying any such theme from Hollywood, Ramu should do his home work, and Bacchan should think twice ! you can not fool all the people at all the times, Mr. Bacchan!

what has happened to Ram Gopal Verma?

[manoj-ransing · 5/10 · 6 April 2007]

After watching this movie, I have concluded that it will take Ramu a lot of efforts to go to the level, he was at some 5 years back. This is a very ordinary and ultimate boring movie. I seriously pity for those who made an effort to watch this in theater.

The main theme is a love between a 60 year old guy, and an 18 year young girl. This theme was presented in a very touchy manner. The feeling of the old man, the girl, and the people affected are shown in impressive way. how the attraction between Amitabh and Jia goes increasing, and how they come closer, is handled in a natural way. The audience believes that whatever is going on, is a natural process. The director has scored a full marks in this area. Then where does the movie failed?

The movie failed in the length. There is nothing to be shown in the story. Something that can be just half an hour serial-episode is stretched to an two hour length movie. (Well, I am sure Katan Johar can still make it 4 hour dramatic saga). The movie is boring. No excitement, no jokes, not much of drama. Whatever drama happens happened at the end of the movie, which was as predicted.

The story is shown as a flashback from Amitabhs view. The Gyan that Amitabh gives, in between can be directly mapped to his dialogs in KBC. The audience in this time, can surely take a nap.

Then again there is nothing significant is happening in the flash back. Jia comes as Amitabhs daughter's friend to his home, for vacation. Looks like she hates clothes. Then the events happens which gets Amitabh and Jia close to each other, and finally they fall in love. Their family gets to know this, and each one is having battle with their own about what to do? and before anything happens movie ends.

Not much to say about the actor. Amitabh, legend as he is, acts just with his eyes. But still he can not make those boring dialogs bearable. Revati is cool and natural in her role. Ramu should again go back to his choices of introducing new people. He by now must have understood that not every skin showing enthu girl is Urmila. There are many there, who are sexy and eager to prove that, but very few amongst them can act. Jia is certainly not one among them. Ramu like his flop films is introducing very ordinary people in the Hindi movie industry. Actually there is not much in role that Jia did. She just have to stand in front of Amitabh. But she is miserable in doing that much too.

Fortunately there is not much music, and hence nothing to say about it.

Ramu though touching different subjects, should understand that, just bringing out subjects is not enough. Presenting them in effective manner is also equally important. Ramu should avoid presenting each and every idea that comes in his mind. He should be very selective in choosing the ideas from now on. He is successfully destroying his image of clever and imaginative director. Rather he is building an image of Imaginative but useless director. Be warn Ramu, be warn!! Don't go over-confident.

wordless actually not literally

[sandhirflora · 3/10 · 7 March 2007]

Nishabd means wordless. This must be the condition of the script before the shooting of this film started and therefore throughout this film cries for content. What you go for is an unusual love story between a 60-yr old man and an 18-yr old girl and what you get are very usual, very common events that neither excite nor surprise. So what we are left finally is with picturesque locations of Kerala shot brilliantly by cinematographer Amit Roy and camera friendly histrionics of newfound Jiah Khan. This does not cover up for lack of a concrete script. Producer-Director Ram Gopal Varma who has such a good track record of films needs to pull up his socks. As far as Mr. Bachchan goes, I don't want to discuss him in context of this film.

While reviewing, I am feeling loss of words. I am left speechless rather wordless !

Personal Opinion : This film can be compared with an equally bad film released some time back called BLACK. I don't see the difference between the histrionics of lead characters in both the films. What did you say just now- That was a world-class cinema blah blah, and I don't have any taste. Well, take a walk. No I don't mean literally but actual one to the theaters showing this film. Because in that case you might find this film an Oscar-level material.

Missed opportunity

[lsanket · 7/10 · 3 March 2007]

Nishabd is RGV's latest venture, An Indian take on an older man- Amitabh Bachan falling for a young girl -Jiah Khan. Such a relationship though commonly explored in the west, is taboo & against the ethics & morality of majority of the Indians, so in natural progression it is labeled as BOLD. It is a bold movie alright, but not in the concept. It is unique in its presentation. The movie is dark(grayish actually), the characters & their traits look to match, & the acting, direction & cinematography are brilliant. What probably separates this movie from 'A Great Movie', is its script. It seems like in the Indian Film Industry every crush, infatuation, relation, is associated with Eternal Love. In Nishabd the justification of Amitabh's sudden change of mood, if i may call it, is probably the director feeling that he's pushing the envelope a bit too much & its time to look at things the Indian way. The attraction process between the characters is shown in a very subdued & charismatic manner, even taking into consideration the nonchalant crossing & uncrossing of the actress's legs. This is where we see why RGV is so highly rated. The movie flows at a very leisurely pace, which is perfect 4 the story, again highlighting the vision of RGV.

"The movie is asexual", said Amitabh in a media interview a few days before its release, & the ignorance of lust in the movie surely weakens it to a great extent. In all accounts physicality would be a natural course for any couple, but apparently Amitabh & Jiah after knowing each other for not more than a week have a bond much deeper, to care for physical satisfaction.

Amitabh is fabulous, probably the strongest point of the movie. Jiah Kahn is good & RGV shows glimpses of what he's capable of. The background score is exemplary & plays an important role in relaying the story.

Really believe the movie could have been one of the better ones bollywood has produced, & it still is, but i think its an opportunity missed.

Ramu and Amitabh desperately trying to justify perversion

[Paul-spooky · 1/10 · 2 March 2007]

Good cinematography, good acting good direction...cannot justify a story that is not and cannot be acceptable to any society. Amitabh has often used the media to make this junk sell able by saying that -- if such an incident happens...then what? I would like to ask him if such a thing happens for your own child or your grandchild (say girl child) then what will you do? I think every parents will have to take special care before interacting with any 60 year old neighbor if you have one -jia- with you. Such films should be banned and discouraged otherwise you inspire more more Nithari cases. Such acts are villainous and villains in films are punished..that should be the moral of the story and not glorify their act or them.

Take Light

[springsunnywinter · 9/10 · 7 August 2007]

The story is very simple about a love between a 60-year old man and an 18-year old girl but was told in a very stylish format. The aqua blue cinematography was excellent that really did suited the mood for the film and it's similar to Zinda. Jiah Khan's acting was quite good for her first film. I really liked her voice and it was a good idea that she had to speak a lot of English throughout the whole film because she was from Australia and it made her look foreign. Amitabh Bachchan is simply the best actor in Bollywood and he took care of the whole film. Nishabd was so much based on reality and it's true that most woman like older men & older men like younger women although there was a 42-year age difference between them. The best thing about the movie is that they didn't fall in love on first sight. Vijay (Amitabh) took Jiah out because his daughter was injured and couldn't make it. They both had a good time and slowly they fell in love which was much more sensible. The best scene is when Jiah was soaking herself with the water hose & Vijay was taking pictures of her. Music is also good although there are only two songs and they are not in the film but there are CDs & tapes. Rozana is a terrific song & Take light is also good but Rozana is one of the best songs of 2007.

movie about communication between relationships

[understanding · 7/10 · 8 March 2007]

its a good effort by the director to bring upon this topic which shows a part of Indian society. Its a movie about communication among the relationship especially between husband & wife. As presently lots of changing occurring in our day to day life which not affect us but also our thinking and personal life. This movie shows many aspects of Indian society and culture. It raises a question is a relationship between husband & wife is strong enough that they cannot discuss these thing with each other. This movie gives a message in every relationship communication and patience is very important. One thing i would definitely say this movie is not about perversion or phedophilism. Its all about life, experiences and occurring changing in social values.

About movie is well shot at some places its slow and hanged but still carried forward. This movie is not for masala lover but leaves a question behind we need to make our thing arena more wider.......

stinks..

[asimgood · 1/10 · 5 August 2007]

This movie is stupid and i hate it!!! i turned it off before it reached half i hate this movie. Amitabh sucks in this movie i wanna throw eggs at the person who directed this movie. This movie is stupid and i hate it!!! i turned it off before it reached half i hate this movie. Amitabh sucks in this movie i wanna throw eggs at the person who directed this movie. This movie is stupid and i hate it!!! i turned it off before it reached half i hate this movie. Amitabh sucks in this movie i wanna throw eggs at the person who directed this movie. This movie is stupid and i hate it!!! i turned it off before it reached half i hate this movie. Amitabh sucks in this movie i wanna throw eggs at the person who directed this movie. This movie is stupid and i hate it!!! i turned it off before it reached half i hate this movie. Amitabh sucks in this movie i wanna throw eggs at the person who directed this movie.

Go Speechless (nishabd) with the "Indian Beauty"

[SurpriseIIIIIIIme · 9/10 · 3 March 2007]

It is tough to ignore the genius of the man called "Amitabh Bachchan". He has done such breakthrough movies after his comeback, its difficult to judge which Bachchan era was better.

Gia is the non-typical daughter's friend who comes to stay with the settled family in the hills of darjeeling (or a similar location). Showing the typical mannerisms of a brat, she slowly starts capturing the attention of the man of the house, and rest follows....

Since the movie has released just yesterday, it would be sacrilege to divulge what happens afterwards, but what is important to know is that Mr. Bachchan gives yet another powerhouse performance. I thought Black/Sarkaar could not be bettered, but just go watch a few scenes in the movie to get awed again by the man.

Gia debuts wonderfully by doing ample justice to her role (with the same name). It was always a role meant for a fresh face, and she does a fine job at that. It is obvious that the girl is confident with her body, coz she uses it well to show the innocence topped with a lot of sensuality.

Revathi dons the mantle of the wife, and I just get the feeling that she is a wasted talent in the whole cast. Her brilliance shines in a few parts but thats all she has in the whole movie.

Ritu (the daughter.. think her real name is Shraddha?)..has a little sobbing to do at the end, and again thats where she does justice to her being cast.

So does it look like I came out from the movie impressed? Yes, thats true. But as rightly pointed out by some critics, 'Indianising' the movie might have stopped this one from taking a cult status. By steering clear of the potential 'sexuality' and focusing on the 'love', it might have robbed the movie off some of its shine. This might not be an 'Amercian Beauty' but Nishabd sure proves to be an Indian Beauty.

WORTH A WATCH. SHOULDN'T BE MISSED.

[amolpbidkar · 7/10 · 8 October 2020]

Movie was ahead of its time. RGV has dared to show Mr Bachchan this way, against his larger than life image. Treat to watch Mr Bachchan and Revathy together. They are both show stealers. Jiah is okkkey. ROZANA song is fabulous. Sung exceptionaly well by Mr Bachchan.

Ending is strange.

[virindra · 5/10 · 26 March 2007]

I really like the movies of Amitabh Bachchan. Now this movies sounded very interesting when I bought the DVD. A 60 years old man falls in love with a 18 years old girl. Now that's an interesting subject. You can compare it to "american beauty" where a man finds himself in a midlife crises. In Amitabh's case his crises comes at the age of 60.

But is the topic new? Didn't Amitabh do such thing in his movie "Black"? Where he gets very close to his student? Anyway, I had the most respect for Revathi (the woman who plays Amitabh's wife). She plays a very natural role and makes the movie more believable. The thing that annoys me about this movie and the most bollywood movies, is that it has to take 3 hours to tell a simple story. This movie could have been reduced to 1,5 hours.

The 18 years old girl played by Jiah Khan is not convincing in her role. Amitabh is a marvelous actor, but to let him play a role a an ordinary man doesn't suite him. Even though he did a good job.

The ending was very disappointing. Here the story teller had a story to tell. But that's it. He didn't know how to end the story well. In a struggle how the audience might take it, he choose for the save ending, but also the disappointing one if you can realize what a different ending could have made this movie much better. Now watching this 3 hours movie is not worthy, because it takes a long time when you get to the ending, a very long time...

Intrigueing Story. Great Bachchan. Disappointing Khan

[veridikal · 4/10 · 24 January 2011]

Ram Gopal Varma is known for thinking outside the box and going boldly where no other director has gone before. This was evident in his first realistic Hindi action movie, Shiva. One of my all time favorites. It was evident in his flamboyant display of Urmila Matondkar in Rangeela. His fantastic editing in Company and realistic view of underworld with a no-name hero, in Satya. Now here is Nishabd. This story was powerful with tremendous potential. They should've kept it simple. Amitabh's voice over and narration helps the story along but unnecessary. The audience should've been allowed to discover the entire story by themselves not spoon fed everything. Jiah Khan was a completely incorrect choice for the lead. She is butt ugly and her accent is from Queens, NYC not from Sydney. They should've stuck to a girl from mumbai for this lead. And without the complications of the male lead already married and a father. .An older single man attracted to a younger woman was SO much better portrayed in Cheeni Kum. This movie is worth one watch..for Bachchan alone. Not worth paying $1 to watch it though.