Vidya Balan Reflects on ‘Parineeta’ as Re-Release Nears

As the 2005 romantic drama Parineeta prepares for a theatrical re-release on August 29, 2025, actor Vidya Balan shared heartfelt memories from her debut film, which launched her into Bollywood stardom. Directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the movie, adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1914 Bengali novel, starred Balan alongside Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Dutt. Set in the vibrant backdrop of 1960s Kolkata, Parineeta captivated audiences with its poignant tale of love and misunderstanding, and its restored version by Prasad Film Labs promises to rekindle that magic.

In a recent statement, Balan, now 46, reminisced about the camaraderie and learning experiences from the film’s shoot. She vividly recalled a visit to the set by Sharmila Tagore, Saif Ali Khan’s mother and a Bollywood legend. “I was thrilled to see Sharmila ji,” Balan said. “I greeted her like we were old friends, and Saif, with his classic humor, was stunned, saying, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you knew each other!’ I told him, ‘I know her, she doesn’t know me!’ That moment still brings a smile.” Balan also praised Khan’s wit, noting how his one-liners kept the set lively. “Saif’s humor was infectious; he’d crack us up constantly,” she added.

Balan credited director Pradeep Sarkar, affectionately called ‘Dada,’ for shaping her craft. “Dada was the foundation of everything I learned early on,” she said. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Sarkar insisted on perfection, sometimes requiring dozens of takes for a single shot. “He’d do a hundred takes, not just for acting but to capture pigeons flying or leaves falling at the perfect moment,” Balan recalled. One standout memory was performing 28 takes to time a teardrop precisely to a song’s lyric. “His precision taught me to observe and respect every nuance of filmmaking,” she said, noting that her hair stylist, Shalaka, who has worked with her for 20 years, also adopted Sarkar’s emphasis on balance and detail.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Jokes About Injury, National Award Win

Set against the backdrop of 1960s Kolkata, Parineeta follows childhood friends Lalita (Balan) and Shekhar (Khan), whose budding romance is tested by family ambitions and misunderstandings. Shekhar’s father, a wealthy businessman, schemes to acquire Lalita’s uncle’s house for a hotel, but family friend Girish (Dutt) intervenes, sparking a rift between the lovers. The film’s evocative storytelling, soulful music by Shantanu Moitra, and hits like Piyu Bole and Raat Hamari Toh earned it critical acclaim and a National Film Award for Balan’s debut performance.

The re-release, restored in high definition, aims to introduce the classic to new audiences while allowing fans to relive its charm. Balan expressed excitement about the film’s return to theaters, hoping it will inspire a new generation to appreciate its timeless story and Sarkar’s visionary direction.

Also Read: Bollywood Film Shoot Turns Chaotic: Over 100 Crew Members Hospitalized