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Bookmark this pagePaheli (2005)
Director: Amol Palekar
Movie review
From Time Out London
Palekar’s puzzling ‘re-telling’ of a classic Rajasthani folktale is a bit of a mystery. A ghost (Khan) assumes the form of Lachchi’s (Mukherjee) absent husband Kisna (Khan) and they fall in love. Naturally complications ensue when the real hubby returns and finds his virgin bride with child… The film has ‘women’s weepie’ aspirations but Palekar is no Sirk and he has little to say about the folk tradition and its preponderance over everyday Indian life. It is commendable to see A-list Bollywood stars supporting different commercial cinema but this touristy vision of Rajasthani life, filled with not-so-special effects and colourful songs, lacks the dramatic impact to transcend its preposterous plot. Only Bachchan’s customary cameo (temporarily) lifts the spirits.Author: ASi
Time Out London Issue 1819: June 29-July 6 2005
User reviews of this film
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- Anna said...
- Posted on Dec 30 2010 19:10 I really LOVE this movie Paheli ! It's not only one of my all time favorite Indian films it's one of my all time favorite films of any era from any country. It is so very entertaining and enchanting and beautifully acted by the two leads Shah Rukh Khan and Rani M. Shahrukh's performance is so wonderful with two such different characters he portrays in his dual roles, the dull money obsessed real husband and the most wonderful caring and touching 'spirit' that you'll ever see in a movie. When I go to show a Bollywood film to someone who has never seen one before this is the one we usually chose to show them first. Although the songs are not all up to the normal high level one hears in big budget Bollywood films they are still entertaining (especially the last one where the actors have to dance as big puppets). See it for Shahrukh Khan's amazing performance and this one deserves multiple viewings to catch all the nuances in his portrayals...his facial expressions are so subtle at times but so absolutely correct.
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- usman khawaja said...
- Posted on Apr 23 2008 01:02 this is adull remake of duvidha from seventies ,i dont think the songs help at all -they slow the pacing as well are misplaced
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Cast & crew
Director: Amol Palekar
Producer: Gauri Khan
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Juhi Chawla, Suniel Shetty, Anupam Kher, Dilip Prabhawalkar full cast
Duration: 140 mins
UK Release: Jun 24 2005
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