Parineeta

Plot synopsis:
Parineeta takes place at the turn of the 20th century during the Bengal Renaissance. The story centers around a poor thirteen-year-old orphan girl, Lalita, who lives with the family of her uncle Gurucharan. Gurucharan has five daughters, and the expense of paying for their weddings has impoverished him. He is forced to take a loan from his neighbour, Nabin Roy, by mortgaging a plot of land with him. The two neighbouring families share a very cordial relationship, although Nabin Roy does covet Gurucharan's mortgaged plot. Nabin Roy's wife, Bhuvaneshwari, dotes on the orphan Lalita and showers love upon her; the latter reciprocates even to the extent of addressing Bhuvaneshwari as 'maa'(mother). Roy's younger son Shekharnath (Shekhar), a 25-26 year old man-about-town, lately turned attorney, has a joking, bantering relationship with Lalita, his mother's protégée. The young girl adores him like her mentor, and for some strange reasons, ratifies and accepts his possessive attitude towards her.
The advent of a supportive Girin in Lalita's life, a certain jealousy transpired within Shekhar which tended to moderate Lalita's increasing associations with Girin who has now extended his helping hand to Gurucharan's finances and also assisted him in finding a match for Lalita. These situations seemed to stir the instinctual passions of Shekhar and somewhat Lalita for each other and one evening before Shekhar's tour to the west, the duo secretly gets married with a dramatic exchange of garlands formed of marigolds. But a newly married Lalita had to conceal herself in the veil of her spinsterhood as her uncle Gurucharan quits his fight with the law and orders of Hindu society and embraces Brahmoism inspired from the angelic words of Girin. The society abandons them and the same is followed by Shekhar towards Lalita upon his return (though mixed with covetousness over Girin's influence on her family). His jeopardies in introducing his wife amidst the society because of the differences in wealth, religion and more importantly due to a precluded marriage of marrying an under-aged woman made him harsh and arrogant towards Lalita who drowned in agony, decides to accompany her family to Munger as a means of healing her psychologically tormented uncle anguished by the sense of isolation. Girin aided them all through his journey to whom Gurucharan had his dying wish of marrying his daughter(suggestively indicated to his niece Lalita) which Girin accepts wholeheartedly.
Years pass with the passing of both Gurucharan and Nabin Roy and an eighteen year old Lalita visits her old place one last time for the sake of selling Gurucharan's house to Nabin Roy's heirs since the deceased desired the plot for a long time. Shekhar has his marriage fixed in a week but Lalita's advent questions him over his real wishes but he has heard of Girin's promise to marry Lalita which must have been fulfilled by now. Tables turn as Girin visits Shekhar with the Legal documents of Gurucharan's plot and amidst the conversation reveals that he indeed became Gurucharan's son-in-law as per his promise but never married Lalita but married her cousin Annakali upon her suggestion as Lalita claimed herself to be already married. Shockingly pleased by this, Shekhar regains himself and his now realised love for Lalita goes to his mother and confesses about his marriage with Lalita. The novella ends with consent for this marriage a declaration of union for Shekhar and Lalita.
=== Lalita's family ===
Lalita: the protagonist of the novella. Lalita came to live with her uncle's family after she was orphaned at the age of eight. At the beginning of the novella, she is thirteen years old and is close with her cousin Annakali (Kali) and her neighbor, Charubala (Charu). Lalita is considered a member of not only her uncle's family but of Charu's and of Shekhar's as well. Shekhar's mother Bhuvaneshwari is so attached to Lalita that she tells Lalita to call her 'maa'. At a time (1914) when young women were typically married at the age of thirteen, Lalita becomes the object of attraction between her neighbour Shekhar and Charu's uncle, Girin.
Gurucharan: Lalita's uncle is a bank clerk with a small salary and five daughters, as well as Lalita, to support. He becomes impoverished due to his attempts to follow social custom and pay large dowries for the weddings of his daughters. Indeed, the marriage of his second daughter was paid for by Shekhar's father, Nabin. In lieu of returning the money with high interest, Gurucharan's house was mortgaged to Nabin.
Lalita's aunt: She is never named in the novella and has only a minor role.
Annakali or Kali: Gurucharan's ten-year-old daughter and Lalita's cousin and playmate. It is during Kali's imaginary "doll-wedding" that Lalita and Shekhar exchange garlands.
=== Shekhar Roy's family ===
Shekhar: The youngest son of the Roy family, Shekhar is twenty-five years old. He has a master's degree as well as a law degree and is working as a teacher. From the time of her arrival to Gurucharan's house, Shekhar had taken an interest in Lalita's upbringing. While Shekhar contemplates marrying Lalita, he is restrained by social customs as well as by the resistance of his father who wants him to marry a wealthy woman with a large dowry.
Nabin: Shekhar's father, who is a rich and an unscrupulous businessman. He becomes so enraged when Gurucharan's debt is repaid and when Gurucharan converts himself and his family to Brahmoism, that he builds a wall between the two houses.
Bhuvaneshwari: Shekhar's mother, who is an advanced thinker. She wants Shekhar to choose his own wife rather than marry the woman whom Nabin selects. She also accepts Lalita as her daughter despite the difference in wealth and position.
Abinash: Shekhar's married elder brother, a lawyer, who is mentioned in passing but never appears in the novella.
=== Charu's family ===
Charubala or Charu: Lalita's neighbour and playmate. It is through her that Lalite gets intriduced to Girin.
Manorma: Charu's mother and Girin's cousin. She is an active card player and involves Lalita in many card games.
Girin: Manoroma's cousin and a university student who as been away for many years. He, as with the rest of the family, is a Brahmo, and convinces Gurucharan to convert himself (and his family). As a Brahmo, Gurucharan will no longer have to pay large dowries for the weddings of his daughters. In addition to repaying Gurucharan's loan, Girin repeatedly proves himself to be a man of integrity who acts according to the common good rather than his own self-interest.

Tags: romantic

Review:
Having watched Parineeta twice in a gap of 4 days since it's release, I have to say, this movie after a long time has done India Cinema proud.
Vidya Balan definitely stole the show with her natural and subtle acting (most of the Indian actors/actresses are known for their exaggerated expressions, which are more suitable for theater than for movies), kudos to her.
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.
But what makes it special is the entire "package" - no over-the-top acting here, great period sets, smooth narration and actors who give a good dimension to the characters they portray.I think Pradeep Sarkar and Vinod Chopra have to be given due credit for producing this little gem.
That's not to say that the film would not appeal to the masses, it has all the elements of a love story in the "Bollywood" genre - song, dance, family melodrama, happy ending etc.
definitely worth your time!PS: Like another reviewer pointed out here, watch this film on the big screen or its original DVD release that does complete justice to the beautiful cinematography and art direction!.
Saif Khan's recent performances and of course Sanjay Dutt motivated me to go see the film.Still not expecting much, I have no words to explain it, but I was truly shocked by the direction, editing of the movie backed by some of the best acting and screenplay I have seen in the Indian Film Industry.
Saif Khan and Sanjay Dutt were great like always, but Vidya Balan surprised me in her debut film.This movie has set a new standard for Indian films.
2004-05 has been a break through year for actors, directors for the Indian Film Industry, and movies like Parineeta is the fruit for the efforts..
Of course, there is always the ever lurking risk of comparison with the novel, but it is safe to say in this movie's case that everyone involved does a wonderful job in executing it on the screen.Vidya Balan(as Lolitha) makes a mind blowing debut.
His character is a complex array of emotions - ranging from the musical and romantic to the obedient son of a rich man - and Saif does justice to his role big time.
It takes the arrival of Girish (Sanjay Dutt) before the lead pair discovers their love for each other through circumstantial odds and family pressures.Comment: Parineeta is an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's work, whose works include the immortal Devdas that has been remade over and over again in many languages.
The film was a very great experience.Characters: Vidya Balan was exceptionally good.
I have always been a great fan of sharat chanda's literature and seeing it getting transformed to such magnificent movie like vinod chopra's "Parineeta" gives me a sense of pride for our writers and film makers.I saw the movie last evening with my friends and there was none who did not enjoy it.
The few clips that I saw during the interview convinced me that the movie was one of the best Hindi movies ever made.Everything about the movie is enchanting- the music, the wonderful shots of Calcutta at dusk, at sunrise, in the winter fog, in autumn, the churches, the old houses with their colonial architecture, the warm portrayal of those exquisite times, the delicate filigree of relationships, the simplicity of the childhood bond that describes the relationship between Lolita and Shekhar, the realism of the story.
Every song was a treat--not just the music but the picturisation especially "piyuh bole".All through the movie I sat and marveled at the amount of work that had gone into the making of such a film.
This way they can bring the opulence of a period film with giving it a modern touch.Its the story of Shekar (Saif Ali Khan) and Lolita (Vidya Balan).
I just happened to watch Parineeta here in Bangkok, though in the beginning I thought of clinging to some another "oot-patang" type Bollywood flick but i got amazed at its simplicity and the authenticity which the producers and director have tried to maintain throughout, everything in the movie is so simple and original,the story, the sets, the wardrobe, make-up, and the overall treatment is marvelous, there is no violence and melodrama, all the players have acted well no overacting or over projection.
Romance here is just not usual masala-mix repetition instead presented with a height.Parineeta is a passion tale of Lolita (introducing Vidya Balan) and Shekhar(Saif Ali Khan).
I am just back after watching this movie and have been spellbound by its impact.Parineeta is by far among the most well executed movies of recent times with superlative performances,brilliant sets and a great music score.To me Parineeta does what Bhansali's Devdas failed to do so miserably.Tell me a throughly engaging story with no pointless overt symbolism and opulence.You are bound to compare the movies at many points due to their thematic similarity.A Parineeta comes across as a refreshing attempt at giving life to another literary classic.The movie belongs to Saif.He comes up with his personal best and one of the best performances seen on Hindi screen lately.His character connects from frame one and he develops it with masterly ease as the movie goes along.Vidya Balan does a great job for a débutante and for once Diya Mirza actually acts.However if this movie ever belonged to one person,it would be the director.Brilliantly executed effort with great eye for detail and sensitivity to the medium.Its tough to believe this could be his first movie.The backdrop of movie being set in the 60s is incidental to the story but can't be missed,thanks to brilliant cinematography and authentic sets/art work.As for the story itself,its a love story whose simplicity lies in the believability of the characters,their motivations.Every character is well fleshed out making you feel and sympathise with their reality.The movie traces the journey of all characters through their personal trials ups/downs.Be it the Saif's character who goes through a phase of 'taken for granted relationship' with Lolita (Vidya) and comes to realise how this relationship means more than he ever thought.We see him go through seething anger,possessiveness,jealousy,pride,repentance.This is matched by Lolita's old world feminine grace,charm,uprightness,pain and unfailing love for Saif's character.Sanjay dutt who plays Girish unknowingly becomes a catalyst for change in the lives of all other characters and goes through his personal journey of love,sacrifice,pain.If there was one flaw (a big word to use) with this movie it was the climax.It seems to disturb the overall pace,mood,flow of the movie by coming in a little too strongly and abruptly.Last but not the least by any means is the Music score by Shantanu Moitra.Every score has been beautifully woven into the script and each one of his composition is a brilliant and refreshing piece of work.Take away the songs and you will see the movie sag.Watch out for smaller symbolist details which add that extra touch and take the movie to the next level.One such example Saif in his anger abuses Lolita and insults her and leaves her home.Sitting in the darkness outside her home is a layman who lights up a cigarette as Saif leaves the home and the haunting number 'Raat hamari toh' is being sung in the background.All in all this one of those movies I would definitely recommend as an example of superlative movie making on Indian screen..
Although he hands over his definitive script to the very able but unknown Pradeep Sarkar, you can clearly see Chopra's handiwork in this wonderfully unfolding era-movie.The movie, based on the acclaimed novel by Sarat Chandra Chaterjee (He also wrote the brilliant Charitraheen(Characterless) and the masterpiece Devdas), follows the lives and love of Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan), the son of a rich & shrewd businessman, & his orphaned not-so-rich neighbor Lolita (Vidya Balan in a stunning debut).
The two grow up together in an unspoken love that finally and tragically comes out for them with the arrival of Girish(Sanjay Dutt), a suitor for Lolita.Taking no credit away from Pradeep Sarkar, the first-timer does a good job behind the camera - he was wise enough to do what most Bollywood directors do not do, i.e., trust in & stick to a strong screenplay.
Finally, Tabu gets an actress colleague in Bollywood.Vidhu Vinod Chopra again proves the master film-maker he is by giving the new generation an interpretation of Sarat Chandra Chaterjee which is loyal and respectful to the great author and yet commercial.
I got the feeling VVC couldn't wait to end the movie.My biggest gripe with Parineeta is the lack of focus on Saif-Balan's relationship.
It's a good thing Balan-Saif also happen to be great actors aside from sharing awesome chemistry because that entire sequence could've played out very awkwardly.Anyway, great performances from the leading pair....especially Vidya Balan.
Saif has given better performances before(DCH and EHT), but this is right up there with his work in KHNH and Hum Tum. He's at his best when he's expressing purely through his eyes and body language.Sanjay Dutt and the rest of the supporting cast do a fine job.The cinematography, sets and art direction is just amazing.
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.
She understands her character, and embodies it to perfection.This film is worlds apart from your typical shallow masala entertainment which in many a case insults the intelligence of the public.I've seen Parineeta twice so far, and it's done wonders for my perception of what great Hindi cinema is.
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.
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.
This may be good news for those who think it's high time the Indian film industry "grew-up," but for anyone who likes the pretty soap opera fluff Bollywood has been churning out for decades, who finds it a reasonable substitute for real Hollywood melodrama, which of course no longer exists, this may not be a welcome development.
Some may laugh at perfectly-timed, punctuative thunder-claps (always going off at particularly dramatic moments in the story), might think them quaint, but those who appreciate a good overwrought extravaganza, filled with silly devices, absurdly convenient turns-of-plot and hammy histrionics, can only be disheartened at this apparent rejection of classic form in favor of a more modern, less over-the-top approach.Of course "restraint" is a relative term; Parineeta may be less hysterical, less willing to aim for the melodramatic moon than Bollywood movies have traditionally been, but it still has its cornball charms.
The plot, culled from a famed novel by Saratchandra Chatterjee, is classic Bollywood: Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan) and Lolita (Vidya Balan) have been sweethearts since childhood, he living with his wealthy parents and she with her adoptive middle-class family next door.
And one watches a film like Parineeta wanting, indeed expecting, more-or-less the same thing, people flying over figurative cliffs in the name of love, pride and family honor.The elements are all there - the romance between people from different classes, the misunderstandings leading to crazed, self-destructive acts, the family loyalties in whose name one's desires must be set aside - but the heat isn't turned all the way up, the movie never achieves the level of hysteria one has become accustomed to.
The problem with Parineeta is that we halfway believe what we're seeing; the movie veers a little too close to actual psychological realism for it to work as a full-on musical soap opera in the great Bollywood tradition.
Bollywood directors, and young actors like Saif Ali Khan, may be ready for more realistic, daring material, but the stories they're getting are the same old fluff, and the only choice they have is to compromise, to play the game the same way it's always been played but without the same gusto, the same commitment.
There's the assurance of Saif Ali Khan as the romantic lead, the musician Shekhar, and there's the moist-eyed beauty of Vidya Balan as Lolita the orphan girl.
This the best film I've seen Saif work in so far and Vidya Balan is going to be a big hit.
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.
A beautiful movie with class, executed the best way possible.vidya balan has proved her point and out beat every other bollywood actress of today, be it aishwariya or rani or mallika.What a performance!
surely his best performance ever!Sanjay Dutt, has again played his role adequately.The music of the movie is subtle and well adapted to suit the story line.our directors and film makers have a lot to learn from this film!.
The beautiful new comer, Vidya Balan,was indeed exceptional too.Overall, the film has good cast, great music, colour and emotion and it may seem like but isn't your normal run-of-the-mill Hindi film.
Some of the highlights were the pace of narration and no-nonsense approach without resorting to melodrama, which is a rarity in Indian cinema, but not without precedents.The acting performances from Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan was good.
Other highlights are possibly Saif's friend begging to a beggar and Rekha song, which is repeatedly in the background on more than one occasion later in the movie.Vidhu Vinod Chopra is not the director to spoil a nice story with a bad movie making.
A good story, beautiful Calcutta as a backdrop, touching performances from Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan are enough to get your money back.Vidya looks great and acts too great.
The entire team of this movie has proved that it is possible to make a great movie without resorting to unnecessary violence, nudity, exotic foreign locales, forced comedy, overacting and all the other cheap gimmicks most filmmakers resort to these days - all u need is a simple story - top it up with tight direction, believable acting and good music - u have a masterpiece on hand.The story has been brought alive with some great cinematography and screenplay - the Calcutta of 1960s seems to come alive in this movie.The emotions have been treated with sensitivity and in a subtle manner - the passion in the relationship between Shekhar and Lolita are there - u can feel it, sense it - but it has beautifully portrayed in the right context of Bengali society of the 60s -.............must see.
Set in early-1960s Calcutta, this romantic drama tells the story of childhood friends Lolita (Vidya Balan) and Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan) who grow up together as neighbors.
The ending is an interesting twist and outlines lolitas love and faith for shekhar although there is unnecessary melodrama in the last scene.Although I've been unable to have a chance to see the original adaptation by bimal roy, vidhu chopra has definitely retained the classic essence of the film and lacks the overdone and unreal lavishness of snaky leela bhansalis adaptation of 'devdas'.(written by the same author ).
I'm a fan of Saif Ali Khan and believe him capable of great movies as we saw in Kal Ho Na Ho. But, although he gets to star in this film and show his dramatic chops, that ending sabotaged his efforts..
Again the scene where Shekhar ( Saif ) slaps Lolita is quite out of place with the flow of the movie and the characters, is quite jarring to the senses, and could have been easily avoided.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra does a sensational job in mastering yet another work with a good script, great performances, beautiful cinematography, and wonderful music making watching this movie in the theaters an enjoyable experience.
The modern adaptation of a 1914 novella of reputed writer Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Parineeta tells the love story of Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan), son of ruthless businessman and developer Navinchandra Roy (Sabyasachi Chakraborty), and Lolita (Vidya Balan), his much poorer neighbour, who know each other since childhood and marry secretly on an auspicious day by simply exchanging garlands.
Fine-tuned performances of newcomer Vidya Balan and veteran Saif Ali Khan, superb cinematography and costumes, painstaking attention to recreating Calcutta of the 1960s, touching and engaging music, and the talented hand of first-time director Pradeep Sarkar make Parineeta one of the best Bollywood movies of all times, despite an overcooked ending that has very little credibility and sits somewhat awkwardly with the rest of the film.
or blows half its leg off.The leads Saif Ali Khan and Vidja Balan (her first movie) are suitably beautiful and do a pretty good job with the acting.
Saif's portrayal as Shekhar and Vidya as Lalita have justified their casting by the director.Sanjay Dutt as Girish also left a mark in the viewer's mind.
Saif and vidya's characters grew up together since childhood, but throughout the movie their relationships seems like they don't understand each other in a deep level.