• Source:JND
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Parineeta: The iconic Bollywood film Parineeta, adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic 1914 Bengali novel, is returning to theatres to mark its 20th anniversary. This special re-release is not only a tribute to the film’s enduring charm but also honours Vidya Balan’s debut performance, which won her critical acclaim and launched her successful acting career. Directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar, the 2005 romantic drama starred Vidya Balan alongside Sanjay Dutt and Saif Ali Khan. The beautiful music composed by Shantanu Moitra became a highlight, adding to the film’s lasting appeal.

Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra once revealed that he initially imagined Aishwarya Rai in the lead role. He explained, “The character is someone both male leads fall in love with, so the heroine needed to have a strong screen presence.” Rani Mukerji was also considered for the role. However, director Pradeep Sarkar was convinced Vidya Balan could bring the right depth to the character and persuaded Chopra to see her audition. On its release, Parineeta was loved by audiences and praised by critics, becoming a rare combination of commercial and critical success.

Vidya Balan’s Role In Parineeta

Meanwhile, Vidya Balan’s journey to Parineeta was far from easy. Composer Shantanu Moitra recalled that she auditioned around 75 times over six months, facing rejection at every step. Despite the repeated setbacks, Vidya refused to give up. After what she thought was her final audition, she even attended a Bryan Adams concert to cheer herself up, only to receive a call for one more test, which finally won her the role. According to IMDb, Vidhu Vinod Chopra was determined to cast a well-established actress. But Vidya’s persistence, talent and dedication eventually convinced him she was the perfect choice for Lolita.

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Additionally, the film also featured a memorable cameo by legendary actress Rekha, who played a nightclub singer. Director Pradeep Sarkar reportedly earlier shared that they had initially approached many well-known names but felt Rekha was the ultimate choice for the part. She even styled herself for the role and contributed creative suggestions for her performance.

On the other hand, Vidya Balan recently reflected on the importance of Parineeta in her life, “This is where it all began. Every frame holds a piece of my heart, and I’ll always be grateful to Pradeep da and Mr Chopra for believing in me.” The restored and remastered 8K version promises even more stunning visuals, especially of Kolkata’s beautiful locations. Vidhu Vinod Chopra described the film as “a musical journey filled with love, grace and emotion”  one that he hopes will enchant a new generation with its old-world romance.