A Lively Portrayal . Review on Parineeta

I loved watching Parineeta, every moment of it till about the end. Was it because of the old world charm, or the sheer simplicity of the story told at a good pace? Or was it because after watching Devdas I had little expectations from this movie? Or, maybe it was both. Whatever be the reason, I was glad I chose a Sunday scorching afternoon to watch this movie. For it evoked in me the same happy feelings as the sweet smell of first monsoon shower does.

At this point I cannot help but draw a comparison between Parineeta and Devdas. Why these two? Well, to start with both stories were written by the same author - Sarat Chandra Chattodadhyay. Both the stories have attracted Indian film makers for a long time now, and there have been different versions of films made on them, in Hindi and Bengali. Both the stories have similar backdrops - medieval Bengal. But more importantly because two big banners have tried to render these two stories through the prism of their own interpretations, and have effected more than ornamental changes in the original stories in doing so.

Devdas was a more complex story to handle. It was an ambitious project. But the soul of the story was somewhere lost behind the splendour and opulence of the sets and costumes. In contrast, I think Parineeta's characters were far simpler to handle, and I am glad that although there are many changes in Pradeep Sarkar's adaptation of the story, he has retained the beauty and soul of the original story, to a large extent. As you watch the movie, it feels like a well-orchestrated symphony - no piece out of tune. The sets are nice and realistic - a refreshing change from the usual make-believe world created by most films that we get to watch these days. The music is soothing and melodious, and matching with the mood of the story, which itself oscillates between the calm assuredness with which Shekhar takes Lolita's devotion to him for granted, and the tumultuous storm raging in his heart when Lolita's time and attention is shared by the newcomer Girish.

All actors have done full justice to their roles. But I was most impressed by Vidya Balan and Saif in the lead roles. Both have beautifully portrayed the varying moods of their respective characters. Vidya's acting is very mature, subtle. She has lived the character of Lolita in all its strength, innocence and dignity.

Are there then no criticisms?

I have read the original bengali story. Parineeta means married. In Sarat Babu's novel, Shekhar puts the garland around Lolita's neck amidst sanskrit mantra's being read for another wedding, that of dolls. But this act's significance is enough for Lolita to believe that she is betrothed to Shekhar. It's a pure world of simple beliefs. Sarat babu did not feel the need to show consummation of Lolita's ''wedding'' with Shekhar.

This is the only point where I personally did not think the intimate scenes between the principal characters were in good taste. It gave an impression as if the wedding needed the stamp of physical intimacy. Even when Shekhar imagines Lolita as Girish's wife, he sees them making love. Why?

Notwithstanding anything, I think Parineeta is a beautiful movie that is bound to impress you.