Paheli tells the story of Lachchi (Rani Mukherji), an innocent girl married to Kishen, whose only real interest is making money. The aspiring businessman leaves home for a five-year business trip shortly after the wedding night itself, leaving behind a heart-broken wife. However a ghost (Shah Rukh Khan) has fallen in love with Lachchi’s beauty and therefore takes the appearance of her absent husband. The ghost wastes no time in telling Lachchi the truth about his identity and she wastes no time in accepting their relationship, which eventually leads to her pregnancy. When the real Kishen finally returns, confusion understandably abounds until finally a wise old shepherd (Amitabh Bachchan) devises the three tests to resolve the paheli that has baffled everyone.

Shah is the period Rajasthani equivalent of a chartered accountant. Born and bred to be nothing but a baniya, he is mesmerised by the concept of marriage. It's a whole new book to keep, you see. As his new bride throws him coy come-hither glances, he is still gaping at the khata, furiously trying to remember if he has totted up the figures right -- things aren't quite adding up.

Rani is a fine actress, and both Shah and Rukh manage the inflections to a very believable degree. The lilt is quite endearing, and the words used are often out of Hindi, but their tone and context in the dialogue make sure we have no trouble comprehending what is said.

Based on the novel by VijayadanDetha. A wedding party on its way home, stops to rest under a banyan tree on which lives a ghost. The bride lifts her veil and the ghost falls in love with her. Soon after they arrive, the groom has to go away on a business trip for five long years. He passes under the same banyan tree, and the ghost, surprised and curious, takes on the guise of a man to find out his destination. Once he knows the situation, he takes the form of the young man, and goes to the village home. To explain his return to the business-minded father, he invents the story of a saint who has promised him five gold coins if he stays at home. But to the bride he tells the truth. The young woman accepts her ghostly lover and they live together for three years. When she is pregnant at last, her real husband, surprised by the news, hurries home. The father and the villagers are confronted with two identical sons... Also see the Paheli pictures on this page.

Director Amol Palekar marries form [technique] and content [script] beautifully. Technically speaking, PAHELI is amongst the most refined films India has produced. The special effects, in plenty, are expertly executed and are akin to the icing on a delicious pudding.

M.M. Kreem's music may not be of the chartbusting variety, but it has some wonderful melodies. 'Lagaa Re Jal Lagaa', 'Kangna Re' and 'Dheere Jalna' are embellished with words [Gulzar] and tunes that are soft and soothing to the nerves. No cacophony here! The choreography [Farah Khan] is tremendous as well.

PAHELI would be incomplete without SRK and Rani. The two actors are in terrific form yet again. If you ever had an iota of doubt about SRK's versatility, it would evaporate the moment you watch PAHELI. Rani proves yet again why she's the rani today! The actor, who has already proved her mettle in two diametrically opposite films this year [BLACK, BUNTY AUR BABLI], delivers yet another performance that is sure to dominate the next year award ceremonies as well. Amitabh Bachchan is okay. Suniel Shetty and Juhi Chawla are alright, though Juhi does get a chance to display histrionics briefly. Amongst character actors, Anupam Kher and Rajpal Yadav stand out. Their individual scenes bring a smile on your face. Dilip Prabhavalkar is competent. Neena Kulkarni, Padma Rani, Mohan Bhandari, Aasif Sheikh and A.K. Hangal are natural.

On the whole, PAHELI brought Amar Chitra Katha marvellously alive, and for that I remain eternally grateful.