Parineeta

Saw Parineeta at home today and truly enjoyed the film. While Saif and the debutant, Vidya Balan, gave stunning performances, I was mesmerised by the almost impressionistic art direction and cinematography. In some short sequences, the film promises to emerge triumphantly and claim its place as a classic in the Bollywood pantheon, but the overall package falls way short. A let down of sorts. The end is abrupt and melodramatic and the film could have done with some moments of resonant pauses and low decibel intensity. At times it gets loud and kitschy--almost naïve in its villainous schema-- and that detracts from its potential. In any case, Balan is a girl to watch out for. Those emotive and seething eyes will go a long way in an industry short on talent and high on hype.