A Classic Bengali Novel ....... Retold. Review on Parineeta

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay'sclassic Bengali novel Parineeta has been a favourite theme for many regional films in India. The latest offering on this novel is the Hindi film by the same name by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Pradeep Sarkar. The credits in the film state that the said film is based upon the novel of Sarat Chandra, which indeed is a better terminology than just adaptation of the theme.

To the credit of the creators of this film, the flavour of the original novel is retained to a very large extent. Barring a few deviations, here and there, I found the film live upto a pretty high standard, in tune with Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 1942, A Love Story and others from his stable.

Before any other point, the choice of Vidhya Balan in the lead role needs to be complimented. Here is a newcomer who fits into the role like a fish in the waters. She has the beauty and innocence of a simple middle-class Bengali girl, though the name of hers suggests otherwise. I am reminded of Kankona Sen Sharma (Aparna Sen's daughter) similarly doing full justice to a Malayali girl in Mr. & Mrs. Aiyar. The expressions of Vidhya Balan and the dialogue delivery also are immaculate. At times, one feels, no other actor might have been able to do justice to the role. She has indeed brought in a lot of freshness into the Hindi film scene, glamourised to the extent of being polluted/ vulgarised by the likes of Mallika Sherawat, Neha Dhupia and Vipasha Basu.

With this film, Shantanu Moitra also steps into the big good/bad world with his head held high. Most of his compositions are pleasing to the ears and are picturised aesthetically as well. And the film makers have shown the honesty of crediting some tune to Rabindra Nath Tagore, instead of pilfering the same.

The depiction of a Period film is also neatly enacted with vintage footings and recreating the same ambience of 1960's. I am not very sure, though, if Saridon and Cadbury'slooked the same then as depicted in the film.

Acting wise, Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt are also good. Rekha, in a short appearance, is captivating. Diya Mirza and the Sen babe are also pleasant to the eyes.

Before I conclude, I would like to know in which Bengali family or environment does the Ladies' Sangeet get enacted with typical Punjabi style? And, then, what was the necessity of putting some intimate scenes, even in one's dreams? I personally believe the film would have been a much better, if these scenes were dispensed with.

Finally, a lot of melodrama has been thrown in in the last scene. I think, this could have been toned down a bit.

Over all, it was indeed a pleasure to see this film......