Based on a rajasthani folktale “duvidha”, this was previously translated for the screen by Mani Kaul in the 70s and now finds a further interpretation by Amol Palekar. Paheli is a fairytale but through its magical story, tries to tell the tale of the loneliness of a woman, not simply in the physical sense but emotional as well.

The film opens with Laachi (Rani Mukherji) being married off to Kishen Lal (Shah Rukh). She is the young innocent goan ki gori, chewing “beyrs” to the disapproval of her husband, letting them slip from the palm of her hand, a metaphor for her own desires. KishenLal is a baniya , and cannot seem to get away from his “calculations”. On their wedding night, he informs her that he has to go away to establish himself, for a period of 5 long years. Unbelieving but accepting, Laachi has simply to accept the inevitable, that she will stay in Kishenlal's home and tend to the family while he will go out and establish himself. Trapped within this conundrum, Laachi is offered a way out.

Earlier, on her way to her husband's home, a ghost, taking various different forms, seems to fall for Laachi. Wandering aimlessly, chatting to puppets and transforming himself from a bird to a squirrel to other forms, the ghost is smitten by Laachi. But Lachchi continues on her journey and the ghost is forgotten. But now, seeing Kishenlal leave the house, the ghost decides to take Kishenlal's form, so that he can be closer to Laachi.

But the ghost plays fair. On taking Kishenlal's form, he ostensibly returns to the village saying that he was met by a soothsayer who promised him five gold coins daily if he returned home...and since money is what matters especially to his father (Anupam Kher), he is welcomed back immediately. It is Laachi who cannot believe her luck, unlike her sister in law Girija (Juhi Chawla), the epitome of solitude, abandoned 7 years ago by her husband 7 years ago, who still waits graciously for his return. The Ghost decides to tell Laachi as to who he is, rather than trick her into believing that he is Kishenlal, a further indication of his sublime love for Laachi. Placed in a “dilemma”, Laachi decides that a ghost is better than the abject loneliness that she is destined to spend for the next five years whilst Kishenlal is away.

Life blossoms, not just for Laachi but for the family as the Ghost gets up to his magical tricks. He restores the family honour through a camel race, and provides the 5 gold coins to his “father” daily, but it is the comfort and devotion which is reserved for Laachi which completes him and her. Days pass whilst the original Kishenlal pines for Laachi in a faraway land and one day returns home to find a pregnant Laachi and a lookalike having taken his place in his home. What will Laachi do? Who will she choose? Will the guilt of having chosen a lover over the prospect of 5 years of solitude prove too much?

Amol Palekar's film is by and large, a subtle but entertaining film which deals with the fable in a way which makes it accessible to all. However, if you scratch the surface, there is a greater depth to the film than is not initially apparent. Dressed up in majestic colours, with stunning photography, Palekar paints a most beautiful painting, albeit somewhat flawed. It's a fable so its simply convenient to suspend logic, to excuse the bizarre and just enjoy the film for what it is. Too many songs slacken the pace which surely could have done with a little tightening up. It has however been a long time since such a handsome film was found on the big screen, especially with the vibrancy of the Rajasthani colours, its architecture and ambience. For this in itself, the film is a pleasure to see.

Shahrukh Khan underplays and apart from the odd nuance here and there where he plays himself, this is yet another fairly decent and unmannered performance from him. Rani Mukherjee has the pick of the roles of late and comes up with another effecting performance. However, the person who steals the show with his cameo is Amitabh Bachchan palying an eccentric shepherd who solves the mystery of the two Kishenlals. The music of the film is enthralling and embellished by Gulzar's lyrics.

This is not your average hindi film..it strives for something in between the inaccessible “art” film and commercial cinema and comes off being an intelligent and entertaining film, worthy of a viewing.