Paheli: Rahat Raihan's review
Movie Review by
Rahat Raihan:
Rating: 4.5/5
The numero uno star of today, Shah Rukh Khan is often accused of portraying the same role of Raj & Rahul genre again & again and only working with his favourite directors like Chopras, Karan Johar, Farah Khan & Aziz Mirza.
But this is the time when you have to shut your mouth.
Because, with "Paheli", King Khan has changed his way completely. He is going to play a role like which he hasn't played before. He is going to work with a director (Amul Palekar), with whom he hasn't worked before.
But will these changes be successful?
Fortunately, the answer is "yes".
Sorry. A mistake.
The answer is a resounding "YES".
SRK's second outing from his production house, "Paheli" is one of the finest and most beautifully made films the industry has ever presented. A shining example of Indian creativity.
Paheli is the story of a young girl, Laachi (Rani Mukherji) who is married off to Kishan (Shah Rukh Khan). The newly married girl with lots of hopes & aspirations, comes to her husband's house but finds her husband loving money & property more than her.
Even he leaves her after the first night for five years for business. Incidently, a ghost who is in love with Laachi takes the look of Kishan and comes back to village with a view to staying with Laachi & getting her love. But he doesn't hide his real identification from her. Laachi begins to fall in love with this honest, funny & beautiful ghost. But one day, her real husband comes back. What happenes later?
"Paheli" is a winner from almost all the way. The only dark side of the film is its pace. It is not a Concord journey what a typical cinegoer expects. It speeds towards with a snail's pace till the interval. But just after the interval it's over. The last thirty minutes are even breath-stopping.
Paheli is a winner because of Amol Palekar's convincing storytelling. The brilliant storyteller has narrated the story flawlessly. It's, without doubt, his most accomplished work to date.
Note some scenes:
* The introducing of Kishan.
* The introducing of the ghost in various avatars.
* When the ghost reveals his true identity to Laachi.
* The ghost's meeting with Kishan & his come back.
* The camel scene -One of the finest scenes ever executed in Indian Cinema.
* Emotional scenes between the ghost & Laachi.
* The climax scene featuring Amitabh Bachchan.
* The ghost's come back.
These scenes are not only well written but also splendidly canned which proves that Amol Palekar & his team are seasoned players.
Screenplay (Sandhya) is above average, at the best. Dialogues again penned by Sandhya is more than well, sometimes amazing too.
Munesh Sappal's sets deserve special mention. It takes the film to a new level.
Amitabh Shukla's editing is fully perfect.
Ravi K. Chandran's cinematography is outstanding. The way he takes the life colour of Rajesthan on the big screen with his marvelous photography has made the film a visual treat.
M.M. Krem's music is the another field where the film scores.
"Dheere Jalna", "Lagaa Re Jal Lagaa" & "Kangna Re" are the best tracks. But the best thing is the songs come at the right point. Not once do you feel, this song is of no use!
The choreography is one of the finest ones from Farah Khan. The ace choreographer knows very well how to present the songs with the mood of the film & that's what should bring her tremendous praise.
Naseeruddin Shah & Ratna Pathak's voiceovers add a new flavour to the film.
But the film completely belongs to the lead pair. After Kuch Kuch Hota Hai & Chalte Chalte, Shah Rukh Khan- Rani Mukherji chemistry has created magic again.
Shah Rukh Khan was mind-blowing in both the roles. His speech delivering, facial expressions all were terrific. It's impossible to think of anyone else portraying the role. If you have any hesitation whether SRK is the best in business or not, just see the last scenes between the real Kishan & Ghost. The two were looksalike but the actors behind them were not! SRK's body language & speech delivering were fully different for both the roles. In a word, his performance is amazing.
Rani Mukherji has given her career best performance. She was stunning as the young girl Laachi. The way she expressed the emotions of the girl is outstanding.
Anupam Kher was efficient. Rajpal Yadav rocked in a short presence.
Amitabh Bachan (sp. app.) was just ok.
Sunil Shetty (sp. app.) didn't have much to do. But Juhi Chawla (sp. app.) was fabulous. She rocked from the first till the last.
On the whole, Paheli is a complete new experience for a typical Bollywood movie lover. Can be prescribed for full family.
The business of the movie will have a mixed response. It won't attract the normal masala film lovers. So, can't be a big in India. But due to SRK's incomparable & unparalled popularity in outside, the overseas business should be excellent.
A must watch for everyone.
