Parinda review :

THE MOST POWERFUL FILM EVER MADE!

Screamed the posters of this film directed by then relatively unknown Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The poster had a huge pigeon with mugshots of its impressive cast comprising Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and Nana Patekar.

The poster with its tagline attracted me and I walked in to Mahim's Citylight Cinema to catch the first day evening show of Parinda. The movie was supposedly adults only but nobody bothered about checking age proof in those good old days.

As I came out three hours later, the film had engulfed me completely. Just like the flames which engulf Nana in its spellbinding climax. Chopra was right indeed. This was a super powerful film merging realism with popular cinema to create a never before experience.

The story is simple and clichèd if I may call it that. Two brothers grow up on opposite side of law. One becomes a gangster. The other is honest and clean till he gets embroiled in to a crime commited by his brothers boss. The victim is his childhood friend while the perpetrators belong to his brothers company.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's direction was extraordinary with so many standout scenes. The shootout at Kabutarkhana for instance. Or the identification sequence at the police station. And of course, the tragic end to a honeymoon. Every scene registers a solid impact!!

Parinda would be incomplete without RD Burman's melodious score. The songs come as a fresh breather in the otherwise grim narrative. Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit romancing to "Tumse Milke" redefines a love duet. By the way, Madhuri wears the same salwaar kameez throughout the film. Only her dupatta changes perhaps reflecting her modest school teacher character.

Anil is believable as the good guy turning bad due to circumstances. Nana Patekar is outstanding as the main villain Anna who is only afraid of fire. The maniacal twist he lends to his character is truly awesome.

Having said that, Parinda belongs to Jackie Shroff, apun ka Jaggu, who pitches in his career best performance. Note the intensity in his eyes during the climactic scene where he crashes beer bottles in a room without uttering a word. Thats called acting bhiddu!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Parinda was a rare film when released in 1989, Shot on real locations, hardly any songs, showed the underbelly of Mumbai and depicted story of Gangsters. The film does resemble On The Waterfront a bit but thats about it. The film catches your attention from the word GO, though the pace is slow at times, Anupam Kher's death scene is fantastic, while Anil's transformation is superb, The best part is Anna's character which is well handled and very unpredictable. The murder scenes are superbly shot, The pre-climax twist in the story is simply awesome and the climax is the best part of the enterprise.

Direction by VVC is superb Music in limited doses by RD Burman is fantastic, Tumse Milke is awesome Camera-work is fantastic, Dialogues are superb, Nana gets the best lines

This film was a turning point in Jackie's career, till then he was hardly known as an actor, perhaps KAASh was one film, In this film he proved he could act, VVC always brought out the best in him Anil Kapoor is fantastic in his role,surprisingly both starred in the blockbuster RAM LAKHAN in the same year, In that film Anil stole the show, here Jackie does. Their pairing was repeated often and became very famous Madhuri doesn't get much to do but leaves a mark The best performance comes from Nana Patekar who proves that he is one of the best actors we have, he balances Anna's intensity and also his eccentric part superbly, his expressions are simply outstanding Amongst rest Suresh Oberoi, Anupam Kher, Tom Alter and rest are all adequate.

My Rating : 8/10

Shocking, violent, brutal and mercilessly evil. Vidhu Vinod Chopra weaves a masterpiece with 'Parinda'.

Must-watch for any Hindi cinema lover.