In this award-winning drama, Annie (Manisha Koirala) is the hearing daughter of a deaf couple, and finds herself divided between two worlds. When Raj (Salman Khan) arrives bringing romance and music, her life takes a new direction, and she is torn between her new love for Raj and her duty towards her parents.This is poignant and heartwarming film, with a strong message of faith and family. Some of the songs are particularly lovely. While both Koirala and Khan were good in their roles, the supporting cast of Helen, Nana Patekar, and Seema Biswas were fantastic. I highly recommend this lovely movie

90s was the time when most filmmakers made loud commercial films with song and dance, at that time Sanjay Leela Bhansali debutted with Khamoshi The Musical in 1996 when the film in the next theatre was perhaps Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi or some other masala film. The film starred Salman Khan,Manisha Koirala,Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas The film was based on SLB's visit to Helen Keller Institute similar to his later BLACK(2005). Khamoshi's songs became popular but the film didn't work. The film starts well though some scenes are far fetched like Sam's death, he falls while ringing the bell in a church(very unrealistic) but yet the emotions are well captured, even the romance isn't too larger then life and very simple, again certain scenes do tend to look weird like the confession scene in the church but then films rarely protect catholics or Goa in a true manner, though thankfully in this film we don't have goan stereotypes, no drunkards, no partying.etc The emotional scenes are simply awesome, the best part being it's simplicity, especially the scene when Manisha breaks down after Nana throws her out of the house, even the scene when Salman's parents visit Manisha's family, it's really superb Nana's scene in the church which was repeated in Black(2005) too is fab Direction by SLB is fantastic, and he showed his capabilities Music by Jatin Lalit is awesome, many songs became popular The best song is Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai, it's marvellous, sung by Kavita K, Jaana Suno is also fab though a copy, Aaj Main Upar is again fantastic while Baho Ke Dharmiyan is another wonderful song, one problem is the placement of the songs though One background music in the film is perhaps the original source of Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin title song. The film is shot in Goa and the locales are superb Amongst performances Nana Patekar is simply terrific, he conveys a lot through his gestures, expressions and though he is known for his dialogue delivery in the film he has no dialogues yet he is brilliant Seema Biswas gives him great support, she is terrific Salman Khan is likable, rarely known as a great actor yet he helds his own, those days Salman Khan was very energetic and seemed natural Manisha Koirala is simply fab, proving why she was the best then she is simply outstanding In the same year she and Nana played husband and wife in Agnisakshi Amongst rest, Raghuvir Yadav is fab, while rest are okay Helen has a small role

Definitely Sanjay Leela Bhansali's first and finest, Khamoshi relates the story of a deaf couple and their relationship with their caring and loving daughter, Annie who is not deaf and whose greatest love is music. The film involves many conflicts resulting from this difference between Annie and her parents and her relationship with a young musician. The film's strength lies in the marvelous script, the exceptional performances, and the paradox of deaf parents whose daughter aspires to become a singer. Bhansali's direction is outstanding and evidently perfectionist; he pays attention to the smallest of details, he knows how and when to excite. This is one of the greatest first-time works by a director. The dialogues are brilliant, the proceedings are unexpected and serious, the depiction is simple and realistic, and the narrative style is very good as well. Bhansali's way of portraying relationships is very impressive, whether it's Annie's relationship with her parents or her beloved Raj, whether it's her dad Joseph's relationship with her mom Flavy, or her family's relationships with close friends and neighbours like Marry and Willie. The film is filled with many great moments, many heart-breaking and many heart-warming sequences. It has romance, drama and even comedy, and most importantly, it has music. And what a music it is. Every song is pure magic and is effectively pictured on-screen. "Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai" is beautiful and touching, "Aaj Main Upar" is energetic and is wonderfully sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy, and other songs, including the melancholic "Bahon Ke Darmiyan", are equally memorable. The background score is another integral aspect of the film's mood.Bhansali extracts some of the best performances from each and every actor of the unit. The film belongs to Manisha who is astonishing and intense in one of the finest performances we've seen in mainstream Hindi cinema. She carries every scene brilliantly and acts with great conviction. Striking a balance between restraint and temperamental emotion, she delicately lets us sense the struggle, the confusion, the pain and the suffering of a girl who is torn between her love for her parents and her love for music. One must note her breakdown when she is thrown off home by her father and starts a long monologue behind the door, screaming and using sign language, while her father can neither see nor hear her. I could really feel her pain and anger. It was sincere, heart-breaking and powerful. Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas offer a credible chemistry. They really look like a loving married couple who go through the bad and the good just as it comes. Patekar is, once again, simply astounding as the proud, decisive, happy, kind-hearted and loving Joseph. Damn what a performance, so natural and real, and so well infused with sensibility, honesty and humour. Biswas is nothing short of spectacular in this role. Her acting is superb, and she gives an excellently balanced, compelling and moving portrayal of a woman who suffers from her handicaps but still loves life. Salman Khan plays his relatively small yet significant part with sincerity and spontaneity and lends some comic relief with his feel-good character and strong screen presence. Helen is splendid as the lovely and frank Marry, admirably managing to make a remarkable impact with only a few brief scenes. Raghuvir Yadav provides great support as Willie. The girl who plays the young Annie is adorable, and boy does she resemble Manisha (another proof to Bhansali's exemplary craft).All in all, Khamoshi: The Musical is a must-watch. Made with simplicity, graciousness and artistry, it does not go overboard and does not try to overdo or misuse its sensitive subject, and that's the reason it is so touching, powerful and poignant. The film flows very well though it may not appeal to everyone as it's a bit dark and too cruel in some portions, but it will definitely be appreciated for its brilliance and remarkable emotions even by those who perceive it to be overly serious. I personally find it beautiful, crafted, optimistic, entertaining and unforgettable. A real gem.

Kahmoshi The Musical, is Sanjay Leela Bhansali's first directorial venture - a sensitive, introspective film about a deaf mute Catholic couple living in Goa. The world of Joseph (Nana Patekar) and Flavy (Seema Biswas) is a silent one and into this world in born their first child Annie (Manisha) who can speak and hear & loves music. She is trained in music by her grandmother Maria (Helen) but the family is so poor they have to sell many cherished belongings including their piano. Annie's younger brother dies tragically leaving the family stunned and music is banished from their lives. Into Annie's world walks in the dashing Raj (Salman Khan) a budding musician. Raj falls for Annie and wants her to sing his songs. Annie's father hates Raj - the usual confrontations, despair follow. Annie's meeting up with Raj is followed by a catastrophe and we wait for the outcome while the story is told to us in flashback.The musical is naturally full of music - some of it is hauntingly beautiful - songs like Bahon ke Darmiyan, Jaana suno hum tumpe marte hain, Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai and extremely touching in the film. But there is just too much music. After about an hour I was cowering at the thought of yet another number as the hero and heroine would run up and down the steps of the lighthouse. Some songs are just fillers and do not add to or move the story forward in any way. With some crisp editing, and a few fewer songs, Khamoshi would have clocked at 2 hours and been a perfect film. The marriage of music and the serious content of the material also jarred at times.The acting: Manisha steals the show utterly and absolutely. Is there anything she cannot do? Her break down when her father throws her out of the house is a virtuoso performance. Salman is the best he will ever be, handsome, no overt gimmicky moves or gestures, just plain and simple acting - after seeing Khamoshi I can see what people saw in Salman. But even Mr. Bhansali could not keep his restrained for ever and we got Samir in HDDCS! Nana Patekar was okay - actually he was the biggest disappointment - his acting was sort of repetitive and he did not age at all in the span of 20 years showed in the film. Seema Biswas was awesome - seeing her I felt all the anguish and pain a mute person would feel at their inability to communicate. She blew me away as the film opened and she put her ear to the big speaker and "felt" the music. Helen was excellent - a great role for her too - one of her better ones where she was required to act. The little girl who played the young Annie was amazing.The story is simple yet very effective, the direction is deft but Bhansali shows his self indulgence even in this minimal film. There is a monologue by Nana Patekar (being 'translated' by Salman) that tell us the whole story all over again - is it necessary? But overall this is an excellent directorial debut and a movie worth watching. Be warned that this is serious fare and will require patience.