Bollywood depends on formula and any attempt to break the mould often meets with box-office disaster. This is the first film by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who went on to direct the hugely successful remake of Devdas. Khamoshi is a brave attempt to tell a story centering on unusual characters.

Khamoshi (Silence), set in an isolated part of Goa, is the story of Catholic fisherman Joseph (played by the powerful Nana Patekar) and Flavy (Seema Biswas), who live with Joseph's mother Maria (the legendary dancing icon of Indian film, Helen in a comeback role). The deaf-mute couple have a daughter, Annie (Manisha Koirala), whom they dote on. Annie wants to be a music star and falls in love with Raj (Salman Khan) who threatens to take her away from her parents. All ends well in this poignant drama.

Khamoshi failed at the box-office despite brilliant performances by Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas. Seema Biswas remembers enjoying her work on the film and believes that the choice of subject and characters make this an ambitious and unpredictable film.