Check out this expert review of Paheli.
http://www.indiafm.com/reviews/05/paheli/index.shtml

This week I watched "Parineeta" in Theater and I liked this movie.
Paheli is releasing in theaters in most of Canadian metro cities today ,June 24th...I believe worth watching in Theater

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ani

I just came back watching it...well...I was a bit confused at the end..otherwise, a good watch...


Timon

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"The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be"

It was released yesterday in London as well, I didn't liked the Movie....
However I felt that many ladies liked it.

Cheers
Raj

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A person is never more on trial than in a moment of excessive good fortune.

I watched both "Paheli" and "Parineeta" in two consecutive weekends. I am a movie buff, and I always prfer watching moves in theatre as opposed to DVDs. I am willing to drive 20kms and spend $14 (Damn theatrewallahs, they charge $9 for "angrezi" phillum)

Paheli is indeed Amol Palekar's canvas. Such beautiful and almost authentic sets and rustic locations, excellent costumes - not to mention some quality choreography by Farah Khan. Such a contrast to almost vulgar and gawdy period sets and costumes of "Devdas".

A real change from foreign locales, imprted cars, designer labels, characters speaking English and going "Balle Balle" or "Soniya Maahive" on a beat of drum.

Instead, every character speaks Hindi (or Hindi with Rajasthani influence) and is down to earth.

The concept of a ghost falling in love is interesting. The story drags in parts, and songs seems to be forced into the movie rather than blending into the flow of movie. The camel race is just an excuse to stretch the movie..but at the end, the viewer feels the satisfaction of watching something different than "run-of-mill".

Kind of sad to see that Juhi Chawla, who once was a co-star of Shahrukh is now playing an Aunt to Shahrukh (Sunil Shetty is shown as Anupam Kher's brother).

Rani is excellent as usual. Shahrukh remains in limit and does not go overboard. Commentary by Naseeruddin-Ratna is an added bonus

The only flaw perhaps is the use of blue filters to show night time.So it is kind of funny to see shadows and sun during the night time. I do not know when the Hindi movie makers will mature in that aspect. Also, during one of the scenes where it is raining, you can clearly see the sunlight and the shadows.

And then, Rani is seen wearing a plastic bindi throught the movie that is supposed to happen couple of hundred years before but...................

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Parineeta

I had high expectations of Parineeta, as it had received good reviews and was doing well at box-office. But as I came out of the theatre, I had a that strong feeling of unsatisfaction - the movie has a beauty, but lacks the soul. The most unsatisfying part is that the movie seems more like pieces of incidents strung together rather than having a coherent story line.

The emphasis is more towards the setting and costumes, and somehow, in the process, the basic idea of Sharadbabu's novel is lost. The storyteller has taken the liberty of telling the story in 60s, but that does not salvage the movie from its long list of pitfalls.

I have not read the novel, or seen the Meena Kumari version, so I may not be able to comment at length. There is nothing lacking in the direction or acting department. Every character acts competently. But somehow, you do not feel sorry or feel attached to any of the character.

I still do not understand the obsession of current dialogue writers with using English in each and every dialogue. I wonder if every person living in metropolis during 60s used such an anglicized Hindi.

Flaws in movie - numerous - Sanjay Dutt moving an aluminium coin with a magnet on a planchette board - come on, give me a break. Saif Ali Khan reading a crumpled 60s newspaper in the morning... Atleast the director would have taken care to get a fresh newspaper printed.... and did Cadburys had Dairy Milk in 60s????

Rekha does a surprise appearance in a cabaret number. The music is quite catchy, but Rekha looks tired and ugly.

The only positive aspect is the way songs blend into the movie. You do not feel that movie is dragged by song, but instead, the songs are used to carry forward the movie. No running around the trees or drenching in rains, or 100 sidekicks doing acrobat on streets of Bombay..........

Parineeta is running 3rd consecutive week in theaters in Montreal.

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ani

I also watched Paheli and then Parineeta consecutively and enjoyed their break - from- the -regular films theme. Whereas Paheli is a typical Amol Palekar flick and has been authentically directed it had average perfomance from SRK as opposed to Rani who seems 2 b bettering with every movie . Bringing in AB was perhaps unnecassary -- Om Puri cud have done a better job if Nasseruddin Shah was occupied .

Parineeta on the other hand has excellent performances from Saif Ali Khan .... this guy has begin 2 prove himself....... and Sanjay Dut and an amazing debut by the lead lady (sorry I dont rememebr her name).........With her expressions she reminded me of Madhuri Dixit .

But the direction seemed 2 b poor and not done 2 the core .It didnt look much like a 60s flick with the roads and costumes and speech of the characters . Interstingly I watched Kamaal Hassan's 'Hey Ram' and onother movie -'Chandni Bar' recently.............A good director actually reproduces and makes u relive the time gone by on screen .

I found Rekha's molin rouge thing rejuventaing and watched the no. thrice ......melodious tune.

Manasvi.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
But the direction seemed 2 b poor and not done 2 the core
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It's a directional debut for young and talented Pardip Sarkar ...considering this fact he did a good job.
btw he also directing Bidhu Vinod Chopra's next venture

here is a critic comment
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But Pradeep Sarkar is a director to watch! It's rare for a first-timer to display such sensitivity and extract life-like performances, especially from a debutante [Vidya Balan]. Even otherwise, the effort of replicating Kolkata of the 1960s is remarkable
>>>>>>>>>>

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ani