Writer/Director: Pradeep Sarkar
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Balan
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Saif Ali Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the finest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, dangerous gangsters or sacred police inspectors, Khan has proven that he can portray compelling characters in Indian films. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his versatility. He is one of those rare actors that has proven he can portray a wide range of characters in various genres. Through his versatility, Khan has created timeless movies in his career which Indian audiences value. A bright light shining in darkness, he has become an icon in the Indian film business whose films have always given audiences the emotions of happiness. A legendary figure in India, Khan has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has produced several unforgettable films that are worth watching.
I’m a big fan of Khan and adore all films he which has created in his career. However, “Parineeta” definitely stands out as being his most meaningful film. Released in 2005, Pradeep Sarkar’s movie offered a powerful portrait of family feuds in India. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an extraordinary Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Saif Ali Khan, who embodies a man that seeks affection of his childhood sweetheart. Although “Parineeta” is a brilliant Bollywood romantic drama, it isn’t a flawless film. The film builds to a melodramatic ending without satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers heartfelt entertainment that will satisfy fans of Saif Ali Khan.
“Parineeta” tells the story of two childhood sweethearts separated by forces of fate in India. Saif Ali Khan embodies Shekhar Rai, an intelligent musician with a dedication to his family he that he regards with affection. Shekhar has always shared a lifelong bond with Lalita (Vidya Balan), a woman that he has loved since childhood. Shekhar’s dream has always been to one day get married to Lalita. However, their relationship becomes threatened by family feuds causing danger. As the odds are stacked against his favour, Shekhar wonders whether he would ever be able to find a lover. Faced with a dilemma, Shekhar questions whether it’s possible to reunite with his long lost childhood lover in India.
Pradeep Sarkar is a newcomer towards the themes of doomed love. Before he directed “Parineeta”, Sarkar had never made a movie about romantic relationships in India. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a bold Bengali book on the big screen but he pulled it off deftly. Using stunning cinematography, Sarkar captures the bond between a pair of childhood sweethearts. Inspired with Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump”, Sarkar efficiently uses montages to capture the strong bonds between childhood lovers. For instance, the montages elevate the childhood love scene. During this memorable scene, Shekhar and Lalita spend valuable time together showing bonds in childhood. Using montages, Sarkar creates a portrait of childhood love which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood. As Karan Johar’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood films about terminal illness. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Sarkar captures the hardships which childhood sweethearts are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Parineeta” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood period piece films you will watch. Sarkar expertly uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences which are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the Piyu Bole song. During this engaging song, Lalita and Shekhar express their unspoken love for one another through a memorable melody. Using engaging cross-cutting, Sarkar crafts bold musical sequences that are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burden childhood lovers bear. Using stunning production, Sarkar captures the lives of childhood sweethearts that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Parineeta” is a Bollywood romantic drama that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture the relationship between childhood lovers over time. The film expertly switches back and forth between two timelines: past flashbacks of Shekhar’s childhood love and present-day life. For instance, flashbacks elevate the music connection scene. During this unforgettable scene, Shekhar shares a valuable time with Lolita through expressing his love for music. Through bold flashbacks, Sarkar creates a portrait of childhood lovers audiences can relate to. Flashbacks are not easy techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Kunal Kohli’s “Hum Tum” claimed clearly, flashbacks often elevate classic Bollywood romantic films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Sarkar captures the lives of childhood lovers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Shekhar. Khan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Parineeta”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a businessman that seeks to reunite with his childhood lover but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: bold, charming and emotional in his most subtle role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and reckless spirit of an Indian businessman seeking his childhood lovers’ affections. It’s a strong performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Saif Ali Khan, the supporting cast is also spectacular and deserving of appreciation. Vidya Balan is brilliant, bringing compassion to a woman that seeks to reunite with a long lost childhood sweetheart she regards with affection. Sanjay Dutt is superb, capturing charismatic nature of a businessman that seeks to rescue a family which is stuck in a rut. Lastly, Rekha merits appreciations. As a moulin rouge singer, she is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Parineeta” can’t quite honour a legendary book about romantic relationships in India. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie to a satisfying resolution. At worst, it perpetrates stereotyped about love which clash with the meaningful message of the book. Therefore, “Parineeta” is one of those Bollywood films not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Saif Ali Khan will love “Parineeta” and so would audiences which seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates an actor that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 20 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about childhood lovers torn apart by family tension, it’s a captivating reminder of a beloved Indian actor that has built a strong reputation by his ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies throughout his career which absolutely without a doubt deserve appreciation.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 