Ultimate classic. Review on Parineeta

Pradeep Sarkar-another natural gifted and outstanding director who takes his bow as a director by bringing alive on screen Sarat Chandra Chatterjees classic and epic love story PARINEETA and for the most succeeding by bringing the audiences one of this years best films.

Those not familiar with the story the film is set in Kolkota 1962. Lolita(Viyda Balan)-an orphan who is sent off to live with her uncles family. She is introduced to the boy next door Shekhar(Saifali Khan)-a upcoming musician and the son of a rich business tycoon. The two become the best of friends through their childhood and adolesence and as they get into their teenage years their friendship slowly starts to blossom into love unknown to them. A intense love based in trust and a love that is spoken only through the eyes.

It takes the arrivan of a big hearted, warm and kind bachelor Girish Babu (Sanjay Dutt) for Shekhar and Lolita to discover their inner feelings for each other. Unlike Shekhar who is intense, hot-headed, spoilt and jealous --Girish is a calm and practical man.

Slowly Shekhars jealousy starts to build up as Girish gets closer to Lolita and her family. What follows next is a tale of greed, deception, jealousy, flying tempers and at the core a sensitive and intense love story.

In terms of a story Saratchandra Chatterjees PARINEETA faces many similarities to the authors other novel DEVDAS. While DEVDAS was a tragic love story PARINEETA on the other hand is more upbeat.

As a writer Pradeep Sarkar and Vidhu Vinod Chopra are faithful to Chatterjees novel. The setting is changed from the 1912 to the 1960's and the film for the most has been written superbly. The screenplay of the movie is also great-the first half is filled with a lot of brilliant moments which heighten the movie but the second half slightly disappoints. Just when one thinks the movie is off to a epic confrontational finale the climax of the film proves lacklustre and leaves a lot to be desired for. One wishes Sarkar the writer and director had taken a lot more care when finishing the movie off which otherwise could've been a masterpiece.

As a director one should roll out the red carpet and welcome Pradeep Sarkar to bollywood. A protege of mastermind Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Sarkar has proved with his first film that he is a talented director that is here to stay. Handling a complex film like PARINEETA with multi-layered charatcers , recreating a bygone era, and extracting superlative performances from the entire cast is not a easy feat for a debutant director bu Sarkar manages to succcessfully accomplish that. Viewers have earlier witnessed DEVDAS which is similar since it is written by the same author and similarities between the characters inevitable-but where Bhansalis epic seemed forced in terms of setting and ambience, the charaters loud and exaggerated and the entire film melodramatic , PARINEETA is natural, soft, sensitive and romantic film which proves that Bollywood is still capable of making a old school romantic film devoid of melodrama but embellished with charm and integrity.

Sarkar and Chopra manage to create a bygone era with utmost realism and authencity which throws the viewer right back into the middle of the 60's. Never has Kolkota looked so beautiful.

The film portrays Kolkota in its full glory as the city was on the brink of its social change. Production deisgn by Tanushree Sarkar, Pradeep Sarkar and Keshto Mondal is award worthy and the amount of research and detail that has gone into each frame is astounding. Cameraman N.Nataraja Subhramaniums camerawork is astonishing.

The entire film is shot in sepia tone which gives the film its much needed nostalgic touch and one feels like they are watching a beautiful novel unfold in a form of a painting on screen.

The music in the movie plays a huge part and composer Shantanu Moitra comes up with a near perfect album. While some may say the movie is devoid of a crowd pleasing/chartbusting song I personally this was not needed. The songs in the movie move with the story and are part of the films storytelling.

Each and every song strikes a chord with the viewer and Moitra melody is a tribute to the olden days. ''DHINAK DIN'' is a foot tapping wedding number shot elegantly, ''SOONA MAN KA AANGAN'' is a heart rending romantic number. Rekhas ''item'' number catapults the viewer to the ''nightclub'' era of the 60's and is well canned.The best track in the number is ''PIYU BOLE'' which is a triumph for both Moitra and lyricist Swananad.

The song has a mesmerising effect on the viewer and appears throughout the movie. The ''Pooja'' sequence in the movie deserves a special mention. The manner in which the entire Pooja with Sanjay Dutt is shot is fantastic.

Now to the performances....No doubt the performances in PARINEETA are the backbone of the film.

Saifali Khan as the jealous, insesure and angry lover delivers his career best performance. Saif who has been impressing the viewer time and time again now cements the fact that he is one of Bollywoods top actors that is here to stay! No doubt brilliant in comic roles(DIL CHAHTA HAI),Saif last year proved he is just as effective as a villan (EK HASINA THI) and again proves this year that he is capable of playing a emotional and intense role with utmost perfection. Saif becomes the character of Shekar and is no doubt a candicate for the Best Actor trophy for 2005.

Newcomer Vidya Balan delivers a excellent account of herself. No doubt the best performance from a Newcomer I have seen in a long time-Balan is a natural beauty that proves that she is full of talent and melts the viewers hearts. She handles the complex role with sincerity and portrays a gamut of emotions with uncomparable ease and commands the screen with an electrifying presence. Balans expressive eyes deliver what dialogues cannot be it anger or hurt. Her scenes with Saif are amongst the highlight of the movie. She strikes a chord with the viewer right from the start and delivers what is arguably the finest female performance of 2005. I am glad that Balan has been taken under the wing of VVCs production house-the actress will next seen in Chopras directiona venture YAGNA. Her display of Lolita remains with you even after show has concluded .Just unforgettable !

Sanjay Dutt as Girish Babu is smashing in a comparatively smaller yet pivotal role. As Girish Babu, Dutt delivers a soft and sensitive performance where his big puppy eyes do most of the talking. Dutt exudes a certain amount of sincerity and dignity with his performance and leaves a unforgettable impression on the viewer in a supporting role. His dancing in the Pooja scene is absolutely FANTASTIC and a treat for viewers. It is important for viewers to realise that this is Shekhar and Lolitas love story and Sanjay Dutt IS a supporting role and not the leading man.

The supporting cast of the movie all play their parts aptly.

Dia Mirza is good in a wafer-thin role. She looks gorgeous and makes her presence felt although she has very little scope to perform. Raima Sen on the other hand gives a spirited performance and plays her part well. Sabyaschi Chatterjee delivers another FANTASTIC villianous performance after KHAKEE, this time as a scheming and greedy father. With the right roles Chatterjee can definetly come in the industry in character actor/villianous roles Achyut Potdar is dependable as ever. Rekha sizzles in her song .

Lastly a special mention to Amitabh Bachchan whose powerful voiceover at the start and the end as a narrator is mesmerising as always.

PARINEETA is one movie you feel like revisiting straight away after your first viewing....