Since childhood, Lolita has been in love with her next-door neighbor, Shekhar, whose father, Navinchandra, is a wealthy but heartless businessman. When she discovers Navinchandra's plan to seize her uncle's home and turn it into a hotel, she decides to seek help from Girish, a steel tycoon. Shekhar, however, suspects romantic motives are behind Lolita's entreaty.
Reviews
This movie was so totally interesting and full of good storyline Good screenplay good editing good direction Saif was doing a good job Sanjay is remarkable vidya was superb in her debut performance Songs are really impressive 5 star Don't miss
Parineeta is an enjoyable, almost Chekovian tale about the age-old tensions between individuality and family. The plot of the film, set in the early 1960's, is based on the fateful consequences of a misunderstanding that spirals out of control between a young man, Saif Ali Khan's spoilt but earnest Shekhar, and a girl, Vidya Balan's spirited orphan Lolita, who live next to each other in Havelis(large Indian houses) which belong to connected Calcutta families.The script is well written, with lively dialogue, three-dimensional characters and an intriguing plot. The splendour and beauty of the sets cannot be questioned, and Pradeep Sarkar's direction is assured. As a viewer should come to expect from Indian cinema, the music and songs are melodious and memorable, and half-justified in Parineeta as Shekhar is something of a songsmith.The acting of the leads is very good. Saif Ali Khan gives a studied, understated performance, showing well the fraught circumstances his character feels himself in, and Vidya Balan brings out a good sense of pathos to her role while managing to show strength and avoid sentiment. The surrounding cast lends good support, especially Sanjay Dutt's wonderfully contained comic performance as a businessman returning from England.The only problem with Parineeta is its smallness in scope. The story the film is based on has been updated to Calcutta in the 1960's, and not up to the present day, presumably to avoid it seem antediluvian. This is telling and, despite attempts to have the characters spend some time away from the narrow range of their lives in the Havelis, Calcutta, which at the beginning of the film is described as a vibrant, multitudinous city in foment, seems virtually absent. This makes Parineeta, an otherwise engaging film, seem a little fey.
Clean. True. Heart-warming. Thought-provoking.The movie does not once attempt to push the viewer to come to grips with the emotions the actor is attempting to portray. Instead, the feelings are just absorbed through the phenomenal script and acting. You can actually feel for Shekhar being lost in his sincere emotions. You can feel for Lolita's sincere intentions for Shekhar. You can feel for Girish's sincere feelings for Lolita.The movie sets itself apart from traditional Hindi movies, while borrowing the best of what the industry offers. By creating this distinct class, we are fortunate to now have a bar for which other directors/producers may reach upon with their films.My qualm? It's too bad this story line wouldn't translate well into a Hollywood movie. The story was meant to be portrayed in Hindi cinema and only hope its story is shared with everyone.
The movie is enchanting, the songs are gorgeously choreographed in picteresque settings. The efforts at initial composition of the 'Piu Bole' song, and the boat swaying to rhythm, are so natural! Loleeta's expressions with her eyes are uncanny and most beautiful. The movie has the feel of an art exhibit. I can't decide whether I like more the sad songs or the happy songs. The actors are most natural.Disc two 'special features' is also spell binding. To see Director Prodeep Sarkar act out the parts for Shekhar and Loleeta is an eye opener. Director Sarkar sees every thing in his mind and then recreates it on film overcoming all obstacles. I loved how the music director Shantanu Moitra and Vidhu Vinod Chopra work on the composition of the 'Piu Bole' song. Director Sarkar's successful efforts in grooming Vidya are noteworthy.A personal note: I visited Calcutta for a month each year from 1955 through 1967, and then lived there till 1970. My father knew he would pick the right girl for me, any girl I might pick would be well beneath my status! The girl I picked wore the simple necklace I gave her every day for the two years before I married her, and every day for the thirty years since I have married her.This movie is a must see, and I own a Two Disc set to see again and again!
