Parineeta Hot and Cold
By S.J.

Pradeep Sarkar, of “1942: Love Story” fame, directs this beautiful re-interpretation of the story by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay published in 1914. The 1953 version of Parineeta was directed by Bimal Roy with Ashok Kumar as Shekhar Rai and Meena Kumari as Lolita.

Pradeep Sarkar decided to set the 1914 story in 1960’s. The short version of the story goes like this: a woman (Ms. Lolita played by the fabulous Vidya Balan) and man (Mr. Shekhar Rai played by Saif Ali Khan) share a deep life long love for one another. With the arrival of Mr.Girish, played by Sanjay Dutt, a host of issues arise. Along with these issues, all hell breaks loose, mostly due to the orchestrated plans of Shekhar Rai’s greedy, controlling father, Navin Rai. Will the love last?

	Parineeta Website

This is a lovely film worth watching despite the trite ending. The copper hues of Kolkata glowed and I was reminded of films that were the sound track of my youth, the movies my parents loved. It is refreshing to watch a film like this-- one laced with gentle nostalgia, tender and shadowy. Though the movie starts out a bit slow, it is a visually pleasing film filled with fabulous outfits, gorgeous scenery and people. As a viewer you grow to care about these characters. Vidya and Saif worked really well with one another, both displaying a wide range of emotion and depth. It seemed unfair that the ending of the movie was so disappointing.

Though the movie is lovely, there are other moments in the film that were a slightly over done. I think we got the point that it was the 60’s and could have done without the Elvis references. Rekha, makes an appearance in a borderline gaudy “Moulin Rouge” club scene that was beneath her. Finally, I really could have done without having to see Lolita getting slapped by Shekhar. But criticisms aside, it is a film worth watching for the sheer romantic nostalgia it evokes.