The romantic drama Parineeta, based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic 1914 Bengali novel, is returning to cinemas to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The re-release not only honors the timeless love story but also the inspiring journey of Vidya Balan, who made her Bollywood debut with this film.
When Parineeta was first released in 2005, it was praised by critics and loved by audiences. Directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar, the film starred Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, and Saif Ali Khan, with music by Shantanu Moitra that became a big hit.
Aishwarya Rai Was the Original Choice
Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed in a 2012 interview that Aishwarya Rai was his first choice for the lead role of Lalita. “When we thought of Parineeta, I imagined a face like Aishwarya’s. The character is one that two men fall in love with, so the heroine had to be larger-than-life,” he said.
However, director Pradeep Sarkar suggested Vidya Balan instead. Chopra agreed to test her, saying, “Let me see what she can do.” After several tests, they realized Vidya was perfect for the role.
Vidya’s 75 Auditions
Composer Shantanu Moitra shared Vidya’s incredible struggle before landing the role. “She auditioned about 75 times and got rejected each time. Can you imagine how that must have felt?” he said.
During the auditions, top actresses were also trying for the role, adding more pressure on Vidya. After her 75th rejection, Vidya attended a Bryan Adams concert to lift her mood. That same day, the director asked her to do “one last audition.” Vidya gave the test casually, without expecting anything, and then went to the concert. Soon after, she was told she had been selected as Lalita.
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Why Parineeta Is Special for Vidya
For Vidya, Parineeta will always be close to her heart. “This is where it all began for me,” she said. “Every frame of the film holds a piece of my heart, and I will always be grateful to Pradeep da and Mr Chopra for believing in me.”
She added that even after 20 years, people still remember the film, its music, and its old-world charm. She hopes that the re-release will help the new generation discover the beauty of classic love stories.
