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Sometimes you just can't remember all the movies you want when you head to the store, or they just don't have it through the online rental service you use. When that happens, all I can say is thank goodness for youTube, which is where I finally got to see Parineeta - a film I was told housed a smouldering chemistry between heartthrob fav Saifu and beauty Vidya Balan. And I was not disappointed.

Directed by newcomer Pradeep Sarkar, Parineeta is a very simple love story set amidst 1960's Calcutta. Shekhar (Saif) and Lolita (Vidya) meet as children, he the son of a wealthy and driven businessman, she an orphan taken in by a loving neighbor family. They become fast friends and we watch their unspoken love blossom until Lolita discovers Shekhar's father's plans to usurp her family home out from underneath them. Enter Girish (Sanjay Dutt), to further complicate the situation by helping out the family with their financial desperation as well as providing the chink in the lovebird's armour.


After my last review for Mission: Kashmir, bollywviewer made a comment about how she liked that the characters were grey instead of entirely black and white. I think that this is the case for sure in Parineeta. Shekhar is a character that starts out content and casual, happy to be making music and living his life day to day as he's always known it - with Lolita always present. When their situation changes, we see a different side of Shekhar emerge, one that's full of anger, jealousy and cruelty. Even Girish, who is by all definitions a gentlemen, ultimately has ulterior motives with his bail out. All of this is what makes the characters interesting and human, and not knowing if all will work out in the end for our heroes is what keeps us engaged.


Sarkar could not have asked for a better cast in his debutante film. Up until now, Kal Ho Na Ho has been my favorite Saif movie, but instead of the boyish charm he exhibited in that one, he gives us nothing short of a powerfully complex performance in this one. He is able to emit a very diverse range of emotion, and does it all with finesse. Plus, there's no facial hair, no bandanas and no sunglasses. Now this is the Saif I met and fell in love with!

For Vidya's first movie, you can already tell that she's going to be a star. Not only is she is gorgeous, but she brings out the nuances and contradictions of her character in every scene and she does it with ease. It was a much meatier role than I've seen her so far, and, though her beauty has always left an impression on me, I think I was most impressed with her range in this film (even more so than Bhool Bhulaiyaa, which I just saw and enjoyed her in).


It was interesting seeing Sanjay in this film. Not only did I just watch him in Mission:Kashmir in which he had a very serious role, but I've been witness to the Dutt/Balan pairing in the very funny and charming Lage Raho Munnabhai. In this film he plays the role of Girish with sincerety and a maturity completely in line with his character. It's difficult to not want to root for him to win the girl in the end.


Visually, the movie is beautiful to watch and cinematographer N. Nataraja Subramanian has given us a movie that looks and feels like it belongs in the 60's. Musically, I needed to revisit the songs to refresh them in my memory before discussing them. One note: regarding filmi songs, I have to say something I'm sure I've said before. I think it is so important to have the right playback singer represent the right actor. What I mean is that you need to believe that Saif is singing, even though you know he's not, therefore the voice that seemingly comes out of his mouth must be believable. I think Sonu, while completely perfect on his own, is also a perfect match for Saif.

After completing a second listen to all the film's songs, I've decided that Shantana Moitra has created a classic soundtrack chalk full of beautiful melodies enhanced with wonderful singing. Piyu Bole is a sweet song, perfect in context and easy to listen to. Kasto Mazza, which made the list of fav train songs at Darshit's blog, is upbeat and an excellent addition to the "on top of the world" feeling that Shekhar is experiencing. We also get to see a stunningly beautiful Rekha in the jazzy throwback number Kaise Paheli Zindagani, which is a complete departure from the sound of the rest of the film, but still fun.





Parineeta is a beautiful and heart wrenching film that is an absolute must see, especially for those Saifu fans! Thanks everyone who recommended it to me.