1962, Calcutta.
Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan) and Lolita (Vidya Balan) are neighbours and childhood best friends. However, theirs is the story of unprofessed love that shows itself in the form of jealousy when Gayatri (Dia Mirza) and Girish (Sanjay Dutt) enter the scene. Shekhar’s father, Mr. Rai, is a business tycoon who wants to take over Lolita’s house to turn it into a heritage hotel, which has been mortgaged by him. However, Girish pays off the loan and an enraged Mr. Rai insults Lolita stating in extremely clear words that she had to sell herself to get the money. A family feud ensues and a wall is erected between both the houses. Eventually, Girish gets married to Lolita and Shekhar gets engaged to Gayatri.
So, is that the end of the story?
I’ll let you find that out for yourself.
Parineeta has that unhastened quality of a period film that allows the movie and the characters to develop scene by scene. Meanings are conveyed not by long winded dialogues but by the flick of an eyebrow or the curling of the lip.
Parineeta has been very lucky in its location because Calcutta still retains a lot of its old world charm. The trams, the Howrah bridge, Victoria, Flurry’s, the old bylanes, everything has been used to give just the right effect of a period film. The music is another highlight and blends with the movie, especially the Rekha number.
Saif Ali Khan is surprisingly as good in a somber role as in his comedy ones and carries off the role with as much panache as fitting of a Nawab’s son. Vidya Balan, too, has given an extremely competent performance. Devoid of any loud histrionics, her portrayal of Lolita is completely dependent on her expressions and is muted and gentle. Sanjay Dutt, although he doesn’t have much of a role, looks mature and somehow unfitting for the role of a bachelor. Other highlights would include well played cameo roles, a classily done love scene and smart placements by Cadbury’s and Saridon (I haven’t forgotten PassPass in Yaadein).
Only one hitch- the climax could have done with a little more sense than emotion.
Parineeta is a whiff of fresh air in our current cinema where fast paced editing and glossy costumes make up for the lack of a plotline.