As Parineeta completes two decades since its original release, actress Dia Mirza joined the special screening of the film and shared her emotional connection to it. The film is all set to return to the big screen in a special re-release across PVR theatres from August 29 to September 5, bringing nostalgia and timeless storytelling back for audiences to experience anew.
Dia, who had a memorable role in the film, spoke about how Parineeta was more than just a project—it was a turning point in her journey as an artist. “It doesn’t feel like it’s been 20 years since the film released… and yet, at the same time, it feels like a lifetime ago. I’ll never forget—this was the first time I worked with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s production. I met Pradeep Sarkar ji, who directed the film. There was a method to his madness. We had a full narration of the script, scenes were handed to us, we did script readings and rehearsals. As an artist, I got the chance to experience an incredible attention to detail. It felt amazing.”
Reflecting on how the film changed her outlook on filmmaking, Dia added: “Until then, I had never received the kind of respect an artist should get like I did during Parineeta. It was truly a turning point in my life as an artist because I thought—oh my god, this is how films are made. This is how you value the process, how you include everyone in the storytelling. That learning stayed with me when I started my own production house. I repeated everything I learned from Parineeta. So, yes, this is a very special film for me.”
On the re-release of the film, she expressed excitement for both long-time fans and a new generation of moviegoers: “It’s going to be a very rich treat for the audience, because Parineeta is an iconic film—a forever film. It’s one of those films you can watch over and over again, not only because of the story but also because of how visually beautiful it is. And the music—every single song from the film is still on people’s lips today. They’re all so beautiful.”
Speaking more broadly about the trend of re-releasing classics, she said: “It’s a great time for us as filmmakers and audiences. These films are coming back to life and reconnecting with viewers. Those who loved them years ago now have the chance to watch them again on the big screen. It feels so good—it’s pure joy.”
Parineeta, starring Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Dia Mirza, and others, originally released in 2005. The film, directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, was lauded for its visual grandeur, soulful music, and sensitive storytelling. Its re-release is a rare opportunity for audiences to relive—or discover—its magic in theatres once again from August 29 to September 5, exclusively in PVR Cinemas.