daniel schut I've just seen Parineeta - and I honestly can not tell you whether I think it a good movie or not. The reason? Vidya Balan. Dearest God, what a woman! 1. She's pretty. Not in the MTV-showing-skin-think-of-me-naked pretty, but unearthly, religiously pretty. Even though she almost bears it all in this movie (in one of the best hot scenes I have ever, ever seen), she manages to keep the radiance and presence of a true angel. Even Serafs would start singing to her instead of Gods glory if she would walk past.2. She's a very good actress. And with that I mean Indian actress. She's able to convey emotions effectively, which is the core of acting of course, but there's just so many little typical Indian details in her acting: gestures she makes, the movement of her eyes and eyebrows, her body language, that shows: she took her acting lessons from Old School Indian Cinema - all the way from Meena Kumari, Nargis, Nutan, via Hema Malini, Rekha (who makes a stunning guest appearance, too!), Sridevi and, my all time favourite, Mahuri Dixit. Believe me when I say this lady is a legend in the making! So, whilst watching Parineeta I could do nothing but watch enthralled every time Vidya graced the silver screen with her radiance. For what it's worth, I did notice a few other things as well though: 1. Saif Ali Khan. After seeing him first in Kal Ho Naa Ho, I had my doubts. Sure, he's eye-candy for the ladies, but can he act? In Kal Ho Naa Ho, he couldn't - but he shows that he does have the talent here: he does a good job at portraying the anguished Shekhar, and to be honest, I think the director could have gotten more out of him: the movie does not show enough of either his or Vidya/Lolita's doubts, troubles and inner thoughts to really test their mettle. So, compliments for him.2. Sabyasachi Chakravarthy (who plays shekhars dad). He plays the guy you just love to hate very well - even so effectively that you don't even feel for him when, during the climax of the movie, his little scams and self-built empire come apart. I thought that scene was not really a good scene: he was so unlikeable that as an actor he surely felt it would have been weird to show the despair his character must have felt. But apart from that scene, he is doing such a good job at being the dislikeable $%#&@&@, that he is just worthy of praise.3. Sanjay Dutt. he was nominated for best supporting actor here, and he should have gotten it. Even though I thought he was better at supporting in, for example, Eklavya, he is so very able to give a character dimension and depth within just a few seconds, that he just deserves that award.4. I do think the plot/script could have been a bit better written. The biggest problem I had was this: why didn't Lolita at least try to tell the truth about Shekhar's dad evil scheming earlier on? Now I understand as a person, why that is difficult, but why didn't we, as viewers, at least see more of Lolita's doubts about that, and more of Shekhars confusion over Lolita's then erratic behavior? Sure, I get why we also need to buy into the eternal deep love thing to really feel the tragedy of them being separated, but the tragedy-part is equally important, and this is where it got blunted a bit: the movie focused too much first on how great they are together, and then on their confusion over possibly marrying other people in stead of each other (the arrival of Girish for Lolita and that Paris Hilton avant la lettre for Shekhar) and too little on the pains and misconceptions Shekhar's dad's manipulative moves caused directly. I didn't feel that they were 'caged' as characters need to be in a tragedy, I still felt their was room for manouvre, and I didn't really believe that they didn't take the room which they too my mind had.Or maybe I was just too happy every time I saw Vidya Balan too really be able to empathise with the lovely sad love story this ultimately is. It's just hard to feel the tragic melancholy of it all when you believe your watching a divine presence.So, come to think of it, it is a good movie, really. I think I have to watch it again, just for Vidya Ba..the good plot, of course.

nedtheone For a nation starved of creatively fulfilling cinema, Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Parineeta is like a dream come true. If you overlook the overindulgence in melodrama in the last few reels of the film, Parineeta may well classify as a classic entertainer with brilliant performances, outstanding music and superb production values. Based on Saratchandra Chatterjee's novel, Parineeta is the story of two childhood friends - Lolita (newcomer Vidya Balan) and Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan), both hailing from different strata of society. They share an unspoken bond of love. Enter Girish (Sanjay Dutt) from London. Shekhar is driven to jealousy by the growing affections between Girish and Lolita. A series of circumstances manipulated by Shekhar's father Naveen Rai force the two lovers apart amidst a series of misunderstandings and betrayals. Parineeta is the story of a woman's endless wait for her love and director Pradeep Sarkar weaves the story like magic, especially in the first half. The relationship between Lolita and Shekhar is beautifully established right from the beginning. Sarkar excels in the detailing - the vintage look of the film stands out with authentic costumes, props and even the roads of Kolkata. Which makes the deliberate plugs of brands like Saridon and Cadbury stand out sorely. Some of the sequences haunt you much after the film is over: Shekhar's complex state of mind during his marriage with Gayatri (Dia Mirza) and his confrontation scenes with Lolita. Girish's first encounter with Lolita and Saif's anguish as he helplessly watches his love slip by are excellent. The scene in the recording studio is worth a mention. Full marks to Vinod Chopra and Sarkar for a deft screenplay. Sarkar's picturisations of Piyu Bole and Soona Mann Ka Aangan are mesmerising. The background score is heavily inspired by 1942: A Love Story. Perhaps the only problem with the film lies in its script and maybe contemporarising it would have helped. In the second half, the script stumbles. And then comes the worst part - the climax. The wall breaking scene between shouts from family and friends screaming, "Todh, Shekhar todh!" is so amateur that it dilutes the whole film's impact. All the performances are top class - Vidya Balan makes a sensational debut. Whether it's her coy demeanour with Saif or her confusion with Sanjay, Vidya is an absolute delight. Sanjay Dutt is in super form. Sabyasachi Chakraborty as Saif's father is brilliant. Among the others, Raima Sen and Ninad Kamat (as Shekhar's friend) add enormously to the film despite their miniscule parts. But Parineeta really belongs to Saif Ali Khan. It's his best performance to date. Khan showcases a plethora of emotions, all in right doses - jealousy, compassion, callousness, insecurity, resentment and joy. It's hard to imagine any other actor playing the role. With this film, Saif rightfully acquires his position in the top rung of the industry. If Parineeta falls short of being a masterpiece, it's only due to the few howlers in the latter half. But even the chinks in the armour can't rob the film of its sheen. For Hindi cinema, it's a big step forward.

naidu88669 I have never commented on a movie before, but I would really like to state how much I enjoyed the film "Parineeta". I am from the India diaspora (third generation) and though I don't speak any Indian languages, I enjoy watching Hindi films.This is the first time I am seeing Saif Ali Khan in such a mature role which is very becoming of his character. His acting was superb. He could even act as The Great Gatsby, rendering a very romantic and longing portrayal of a fragile love circumstance. His attire and demeanor, expressions were very appealing. Hats off to the direction of this wonderful story of an earlier time.Vidya is also extremely beautiful. Her acting was fantastic for a newcomer. She has that rare beauty that is not often seen in the film actresses these days. Please bring her in more films, especially these types of dramatic roles. I would love to see these two in another film.I have seen the film twice.The music was very endearing, romantic and very suitable for this film.Wonderful movie.

a-mukerji 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!