Parineeta (2005)

Review from imdb
Elegant, memorable storytelling

I will never forget the first 30 minutes of this film.

Superbly paced, the film has fine, balanced performances from all its actors. Its vision is very difficult to put in words - it is an escapism rooted in realism, simple ideas seen earlier in Hindi cinema are fully realized here, comparable to some of the best personal European/ International films. Its song style is sophisticated, very effortlessly translated into simple, clear imagery. The last ten minutes are mishandled, taking away from what could have been an almost-flawless experience in mainstream Indian cinema - I choose...more

Review from apunkachoice.com
The sepia tone of the visuals lends nostalgia. Set in the Calcutta of early 60s, Parineeta explores complex human emotions through a moving love story....more

Review from bollyvista
'Parineeta' adapted from Saratchandra Chatterjee's classic novel of the same name is truly a labour of love. The love and passion that has gone into its making is clearly visible. It is a love story set in the 60s and beautifully told. Director Pradip Sarkar couldn't have thought of a more suitable cast. Saif Ali Khan is exactly like the character, Shekhar. He is a rich man's son and lives a comfortable life. He pursues his love for music. He plays the piano. Girish (Sanjay Dutt) is a hero who has made it on his own after going through difficult...more

Review from indiaglitz
Literary classics are open to interpretation. Sarkar's take on Saratchandra proves it with bridled élan. While Saratchandra according to Bhansali was far more emotionally and optically extravagant, Sarkar's "Parineeta" is more reined-in, at times almost inhibited...And then like a flower opening its petals, it is also prone to sudden fits of extroverted aesthetics. The contradictory moods are well balanced and preserved. Oooh...Hot, baby, hot. Pradeep Sarkar instils a smouldering intensity into the story of a hero who's too arrogant and self-absorbed to say yes to love. This Saratchandra hero is no walkover. The sequences between father Sabyasachi Chakraborty (as nasty and...more

Review from ./movietalkies.com
The city of Calcutta. A city so vibrant, so alive, so stylish, it was referred to as 'The Paris of the East'. This exotic backdrop serves as the perfect locale for the tender, immortal love story about to unfold. A young girl Lolita (Vidya Balan), orphaned at an early age is sent to live with her Uncle's family, where destiny introduces her to a young boy: Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan), a budding musician, son of an affluent businessman. Together through childhood and adolescence, Shekhar and Lolita share joys and sorrows, fond memories and bittersweet experiences... and unknown to them a relationship...more