Paheli (2005)

A wonderfully romantic film with great actors, beautiful music and fantastic visuals. The chemistry between SRK and Rani Mukherjee is completely convincing. When I first watched this film, I didn't really know what to expect, having read just a very short description. And I fell and love with it. I even managed to find a film poster for my collection. If you like fantasy or fairy tales, this is the film for you. Enjoy!!!!

I watched 'Paheli' two times and I still dislike the ending. For me a fairy tale's use in history is "education", the perpetuation of traditions, the transmission of values.Spoiler alarm: For me this fairy tale would have been right if it had been about the education of the human male to love his wife. Think about it: how many ghosts are there to provide a female with a loving husband? Quite on contrary, the human males have to be transformed into loving husbands! The film succeeds partly when we see the longing of the husband far away. But when he comes home lovingly though still subservient to his father the film crashes for me. For me the film needed to end with a strong husband declaring his undying love for his wife and his acceptance of the ghost's baby, while the ghost needed to go back into his tree.The wife in this film is for me such a week vessel and hollow shell that I dislike her tremendously (this impression might be enhanced by Rani Mukherjee whom I have seen only once to give a nearly realistic portrayal: in 'Yuva'). The director said something along "This film is about the decision or choice the woman makes". But this woman makes no decision, she says something like "I could not hold the first one, who am I to repulse the second one." For me this is not a decision, but only a concession. In my view, this is a very weak portrayal of a woman's choice. One point more why I dislike this film.The husband is not likable in his weakness, but the ghost for me is far more disgusting in his selfishness. He makes some magic for the family (which is already disgustingly rich) so that he can stay accepted, but he does not much for the community, and when the husband sends his messenger, he sends him away without any refreshment. Another point why I dislike this film.End of spoiler alarm: For me this is a very unsuccessful fairy tale with a very good production value. I think the director Amol Palekar was not able to make good use of the lavish support he got from the producers. I did not even like the two performances of SRK in this film, which for me are overdone and not in agreement with a fairy tale but more with a comedy like 'Duplicate' (and I normally like each of his performances). I ascribe SRK's failure to the weak direction. In my view SRK needs good directors to shine. Otherwise he usually hams which often is quite in agreement with the film's intentions and consequently there I have no problems with this style of acting.Conclusion: in no way is this a fairy tale on par with 'La Belle et la Bete (1946) - Beauty and the Beast' by Jean Cocteau or 'Tri Orisky pro Popelku (1973) - Three Nuts for Cinderella' by Vaclav Vorlicek.I gave this film 2 of 10 stars.

A veteran short story writer once said about one of his stories that adults may not understand his story but children will. this film is a delightful romance. it is no use asking how can a ghost impregnate a woman. While reading some stories or viewing some films we suspend our sense of reality. there are no gruesome or handsome villains who invent new forms of coldest cruelty . There are no impossible and bloody fight scenes. True the story is mythical but quite allegorical. In one scene the ghost says that he is "love" every woman yearns for. In this film the sexuality of woman is described as something holy. In traditional societies normally the sexuality of women is suppressed on the plea of need for social stability. But in myths and folktales this taboo is transcended. The songs and dances mostly based on Rajasthani folk idioms are delightful. Rani Mukerjee acted superbly and there is a delightful cameo role by Amitab Bachan There is humor, joys and sorrows in this film. credos to Amol Palekar.

This movie has got to be one of the worst movies I've see yet. Holy-mother-of-God!!! Seriously! it's beyond fantasy. The worst part of the movie is Shah Rukh Khan. I mean, the guy could never act, a self-proclaimed over-actor, this movie proves his proclamation to be right on target! Ever noticed how he vibrates when he cries? He can't emote.Sure, the movie's easy on the eye. Pretty and beautiful, Rani Mukherjee shines as usual. After seeing the movie, you come out pitying the 'original' Kishen. More than anything else, I came out pitying myself, for having had to pay to watch such a movie. Blech! You would think Amol Palekar woulda come up with a better storyline than this one. Heck NO! Big letdown because of that. If you're thinking of watching the movie, I would strongly suggest taking a nap instead. It's not only stupid but also incredibly boring and slow-moving. Pathetic attempts at humor and the same IL' run-o-the-mill song-and-dance routines make you long(!!!!) for a fast forward button. Catch Parineeta instead.