Parineeta

Meena Kumari has set the gold standard for acting in this movie by portraying the quiet suffering and the predicament of an orphan girl in 1960 Calcutta, who has only her strong beliefs to save her soul from an oppressive society. Ashok Kumar also acts well playing a weakling who cannot stand up to the society and declare his choice, despite being in a rich and powerful place. Giren played by Asit Baran does justice to his character in the story. The little girl playing Lolitha's sister does an awesome role, and also sets the metaphorical backdrop to the story. Saratchandra babu's story is so realistic and compelling that it transports us magically and brings us into the story and next to the powerfully portrayed characters. A must watch.

This movie is just loosely based on the original story, with quite a bit of changes, and not really for the best. The closest what I have seen to the original is the Bengali version, of 1969, starring the legendary Soumitra in the lead role, with Mousumi as Lalita. If one gets a chance, one should watch that, just to compare. The sweetness of the story is lost in this version, which the 1969 retained. That was surprising, considering the director, Bimal Roy, was Bengali as was the producer/ hero, Ashok. Probably the over dramatisation was done to cater to the 'audience' and that spoiled the taste, quite a bit. Of course I won't say the 1969 version too did total justice to the original novel, especially with regards to the Male role (of Shekhar), who was weak. But still one would not notice that aberration, unless one has read the novel. The difference was masked by creating circumstances, so that it was not necessary to be weak.

I personally feel about Parineeta which was originally made by Bimal Roy to be the true classic.Its rather ironical to see that modern India has woken up and applauded the 2005 version of Parineeta made by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.But the actual classic is much more realistic and brings the true romance of the "Fiance" and Bimal Da has brought the characters right out of the novel and closest to the human relations.

However if one compares the roles of Sekhar in both the films,i feel Ashok Kumar has portrayed this character with such a elan and a rebel at times,though Saif Ali Khan looked very kiddish and an amateur in this role.

As of Lolita,I cant think of anyone else but Meena Kumari justifying this role with compassion and ethos.

I would recommend to see Bimal Da's version first and then go for the 2005 version of the same film.