Before, during & after watching the movie, I have two very grateful thoughts: 1) I do not remember Bimal Roy's award-winning 1953 version, and 2) that Vidhu Vinod Chopra, not Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the force behind this one. Although he hands over his definitive script to the very able but unknown Pradeep Sarkar, you can clearly see Chopra's handiwork in this wonderfully unfolding era-movie.

The movie, based on the acclaimed novel by Sarat Chandra Chaterjee (He also wrote the brilliant Charitraheen(Characterless) and the masterpiece Devdas), follows the lives and love of Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan), the son of a rich & shrewd businessman, & his orphaned not-so-rich neighbor Lolita (Vidya Balan in a stunning debut). The two grow up together in an unspoken love that finally and tragically comes out for them with the arrival of Girish(Sanjay Dutt), a suitor for Lolita.

Taking no credit away from Pradeep Sarkar, the first-timer does a good job behind the camera - he was wise enough to do what most Bollywood directors do not do, i.e., trust in & stick to a strong screenplay. And thankfully does not indulge in the grandeur of the period art-deco. Rather, he sticks to the important parts: the characters and the story.

Technically, the movie is first-rate - no surprise as it comes from the VVC camp. The editing, the cinematography, art-direction and even the colors are all playing their part in telling the story, rather than sticking out in individual pride. The music & songs form a part of the movie without once being forced onto the viewer.

Saif Ali Khan does a major job in this movie. Although he still has the dust of his Urban-self, he manages to bring out Shekhar's masculine frustration & sorrow amazingly. This is the movie that proves he can be good at drama too. Sanjay Dutt is Sanjay Dutt. He never once convinces to look beyond his 'self' and him as Girish is not a failed attempt, but a no-attempt. But the show-stealer is definitely Lolita - Vidya Balan. During the first act I thought she was camera-shy. But as the movie progressed, and the shy-girl matured into the Lolita she was to become, realization hits home that this is an actress way beyond her first movie. She performs like a veteran. And her fresh, non-star-look adds. Finally, Tabu gets an actress colleague in Bollywood.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra again proves the master film-maker he is by giving the new generation an interpretation of Sarat Chandra Chaterjee which is loyal and respectful to the great author and yet commercial. Now I need to get my hands on Bimal Roy's classic...