Journalism of Courage
A plea for mercy killing
Producers: Ronnie Screwvala and Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Director and music: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Lyrics:A.M. Turaz and Vibhu Puri
Cast: Hrithik Roshan,Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Aditya Roy Kapoor,Monikangna Dutta and Shernaz Patel.
The lead characters of the film find themselves locked in an unusual circumstance. Ethan Mascarenhas Hrithik Roshan a magician,has been immobilised with a spinal injury that has left him quadriplaegic. But instead of giving up,Ethan turns his energies into hosting a radio show.
Fourteen years post the accident that paralyses him,Ethan asks his lawyer to petition the court on his behalf with a plea for mercy killing. As if to offset an end with a beginning,a young man,Omar Siddiqui,enters Ethans world with the desire to learn magic from Ethan.
On one hand while Ethan prepares to pass on his magical legacy to Omar,he also continues his battle to demand the most basic right that every human being is entitled to the right to his own life. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays Sophia,a nurse who takes care of Hrithik. Her role in the film is interesting as she is a married woman who gets attracted to her patient.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali says: I have been musically inclined since childhood. There is music in everything I do,so this film was a natural progression.
I have always been impressed by Hrithiks sincerity as an actor. Aishwarya is very special to me. She suited the role to perfection. When I narrated the script to her,she was deeply moved. She told me she would have done the film even if I had not sent her the script.
The Buzz
For the filmwhich is said to be loosely inspired by Christopher Nolans film,The Prestige a French teacher was arranged for Aishwarya,as some of her dialogues are in French.
