Parineeta review: Gourav Chakrabarty and Debchandrima Singha Roy present unadulterated old-school romance

3/5

Parineeta story: 

Neighbour duo Lolita (Debchandrima Singha Roy) and Shekhar (Gourav Chakrabarty) have unending claim on each other. Despite a marriage in haste, they parted ways because of Shekhar’s prejudices and Lolita’s pride. In Parineeta, Saratchandra Chattopadhyay's classic takes a makeover in Aditi Roy’s series on Hoichoi. 

Parineeta review: 

Saratchandra Chattopadhyay’s Parineeta, as a plot, is clearly dated. And yet its unsullied charm of old-school romance makes it fascinating even today. The original story was adapted on the big screen a number of times. Soumitra Chatterjee and Mousumi Chatterjee’s Parineeta was directed by Ajar Kar. Meena Kumari and Ashok Kumar played the lead in Bimal Roy’s film. Most recently, Vidya Balan and Saif Ali Khan’s Parineeta – directed by Pradeep Sarkar – was released in 2005 and was one of the highest-grossing films of that year.

Aditi could have been trapped in the legacy of the old films. However, she successfully overcame the inspirations of the previous films and presented her own version, which is truly engaging and entertaining. It has its faults, and we will get there eventually. But overall, Parineeta is well made and arguably Aditi’s best series on Hoichoi. 

Parineeta has to be a period piece to justify the pride and prejudices of the characters. This show takes a bit of liberty and starts at a train station in Munger (erstwhile Monghyr). Through this deviation, the maker presents the story in a nonlinear format that works delectably. 

The set, costume, carriage, and lights fit fairly into the story. Unlike many other Bengali period dramas, the makeup and costumes of Parineeta have no shoddy business. They are simple, convincing, and aesthetically pleasing. Some of the shots, especially at the Munger station, are beautifully crafted. Music is largely pleasing. The makers use the song Michhey Obhiman (a good song on its own) nicely.    

Besides the nonlinear flow, Gaurav’s passionate presentation of Shekhar makes Parineeta charming. Aditi’s Shekhar has guilt along with his jealousy, heartbreak, anger, frustration, and unending love for Lolita. The actor displays each emotion with passion. Gaurav’s versatility as an actor takes him to the dark dingy corner of Abar Proloy (Zee5), to the complex character of Raja Bhattacharya in Chhotolok (Zee5) to Amiya in Parnashavarir Shaap (Hoichoi) and straight-out-of-a-classic Shekhar in Parineeta effortlessly.

Debchandrima falters occasionally but still manages to deliver a convincing performance as Lolita. It is the sporadic archaic Bengali that sounds odd when she speaks. However, she has a gravitas in her face. With a stiff upper lip, the actress passes the ‘Lolita test’ without much problem. Moreover, she blends the innocence of Lolita well with her gravitas.

Arpan Ghoshal is also agreeable as Girinbabu. Loknath Dey is underutilised. Mimi Dutta seems a little loud and theatrical with the archaic Bengali she speaks in the series. In fact, the dialogue department is the least convincing of all. While some of the expressions fit perfectly into the context, some expressions seem forced and superficial. 

Panineeta verdict: 

It is a pure love story presented on an engaging platter. It is surely not the best Parineeta out there but Hoichoi’s Parineeta is worth a watch.