Parineeta (1986 film)

Parineeta is a 1986 Indian Bengali-language film directed by Anjan Choudhury, based on the 1914 Bengali novel of the same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Laboni Sarkar, Rajat Ganguly, and Debashree Roy in the lead roles.

The film is a romantic drama that explores themes of love, class differences, and societal expectations in pre-independence India. It tells the story of Shekhar, a wealthy young man, and Lalita, a poor orphaned girl who lives with her relatives next door. Shekhar and Lalita share a deep bond of affection, but their relationship is complicated by societal pressures and misunderstandings.

Unlike the more widely known 2005 Bollywood film adaptation, this version is in Bengali and presents its own interpretation of the classic story. The 1986 film received critical acclaim in Bengal upon its release and is remembered for its performances and its depiction of the novel's themes. It is often compared and contrasted with other adaptations of Parineeta.