In a nostalgic celebration of his film Black, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan commemorated the digital release of the iconic film,’ directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, 19 years after its theatrical premiere. On Sunday, which coincided with the 19th anniversary of ‘Black’s’ original release in theaters worldwide, Amitabh Bachchan, the celebrated lead actor, took to social media to share the exciting news of the film’s digital debut on Netflix.
Expressing his joy on Twitter, Amitabh Bachchan remarked, “It’s been 19 years since ‘Black‘ released, and today we’re celebrating its first-ever digital release on Netflix! Debraj and Michelle’s journey has been an inspiration to all of us, and we hope it instills you with strength and compassion. ❤️”
The announcement of ‘Black’s‘ OTT release was also made by Netflix on Instagram, adding to the anticipation and excitement among fans. The film, released on February 4, 2005, has now found a new home on the popular streaming platform, allowing a new generation of viewers to experience its timeless narrative.
Black to re-ignite the power of human connection
“Black” narrates the poignant story of Michelle (Rani Mukerji), a deaf-and-blind woman, and her profound relationship with her teacher Debraj (Amitabh Bachchan), an elderly alcoholic teacher who later battles Alzheimer’s disease. The film beautifully weaves together themes of resilience, compassion, and the power of human connection.
While ‘Black’ may have been an average success at the box office, grossing ₹39.83 crore worldwide during its theatrical run, its enduring impact lies in the critical acclaim it received. Regarded as one of the best films in the careers of both Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, ‘Black’ has been praised for its exceptional direction, compelling story, well-crafted screenplay, impactful dialogues, meticulous production design, costumes, and stellar performances by the entire cast.
The film’s accolades include three awards at the 53rd National Film Awards, including Best Feature Film in Hindi and Best Actor for Amitabh Bachchan. At the 51st Filmfare Awards in 2006, ‘Black’ made history by winning in all 11 categories it was nominated in, including Best Film, Best Film (Critics), Best Director (Sanjay Leela Bhansali), Best Actor, Best Actor (Critics) for Amitabh Bachchan, Best Actress, and Best Actress (Critics) for Rani Mukerji, making it the most-awarded film in the history of the Filmfare Awards at that time.