Watch Parineeta

Parineeta is a black and white romantic drama film from 1953 that was directed by Bimal Roy. The movie is based on the same-titled Bengali novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and stars Ashok Kumar, Meena Kumari, and Asitbaran in lead roles. The film's story is set in Calcutta in the early 1900s and revolves around a young couple named Lalita and Shekhar.

As the movie opens, Lalita, who is played by Meena Kumari, is working as a clerk in a library to support her family. Shekhar, played by Ashok Kumar, is the son of a wealthy businessman and is about to go abroad to study law. Even though Lalita and Shekhar's families are close and have been friends for years, their economic and social status keeps them from acknowledging their love for each other.

However, fate has other plans as Lalita's father dies, leaving the family in a difficult financial situation. In order to earn some money, they decide to let out a part of their house to tenants, and Shekhar's father rents the space. Despite Lalita and Shekhar's attraction towards each other, Shekhar fails to acknowledge his feelings for Lalita, instead, he tries his best to get rid of her family by buying their house.

In the meantime, Shekhar falls for Girin, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, who is played by Daisy Irani. Shekhar's family approves of Girin and believes that she is a better match for their son. Lalita, who is heartbroken, decides to go against Shekhar's father and participates in a play he has organized to raise money. Shekhar is impressed by Lalita's performance, and the two acknowledge their feelings for each other.

However, Lalita's joy is short-lived, as Shekhar decides to marry Girin. Lalita, devastated, decides to leave Calcutta and move to another city. However, fate has other plans, and she meets a young man, named Abinash, played by Asitbaran. Abinash has just returned from England with a degree in English literature and is looking for a job. The two become friends, and Lalita finds solace in Abinash's company.

Shekhar, who regrets his decision, tries to win back Lalita's trust, but she remains hesitant. It is only after Abinash falls ill, and Lalita needs money, that Shekhar comes to her help. Shekhar, who has now realized his love for Lalita, convinces her to come back to him. However, when everything seems to be going well, a tragic incident occurs, which changes everything.

Parineeta is a timeless classic that takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster. The film beautifully portrays the struggles of two young individuals in love, restricted by societal norms and their financial status. Meena Kumari shines in the role of Lalita, portraying her character's vulnerability and strength with ease. Ashok Kumar, one of Indian cinema's legends, delivers a compelling performance as Shekhar, a man torn between his love for two women.

The music in Parineeta is another highlight, with the legendary composer, Arun Kumar Mukherjee, creating songs that will be remembered for years to come. The song "Chali Radhe Rani" is one of the most memorable songs from the film and is still loved by audiences today.

In conclusion, Parineeta is a must-watch film for any fan of Indian cinema. The film's themes of love, struggle, and sacrifice are universal and will resonate with viewers even today. Bimal Roy's direction combined with brilliant performances by Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari makes Parineeta an unforgettable experience.

Parineeta is a 1953 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.