DEVDAS
(a film review by Mark R. Leeper)
CAPSULE: What is at least the fifth film version of this
love story is the most lavish and expensive Hindi film
ever made. The pace is slow, but the production design
and the musical numbers are exquisite. Two lovers torn
apart by their families have a tragic destiny. If you
are not used to Hindi film, this is a good one to start
on. Rating: 7 (0 to 10), low +2 (-4 to +4)
DEVDAS is based on Saratchandra Chatterjee's novel and has been filmed (at least) four times previously. This fifth version is directed and co-written by Sanjay Leele Bhansali, as only his third feature film. DEVDAS is, however, the most expensive Hindi film ever made. Anyone who has seen the film is unlikely to doubt that it had a big price tag. Even with low Indian production costs and salaries, there is what has to be a lot of money up on that screen. The settings are huge mansions and much bigger palaces with incredible use of colors and fabrics. Rare is the song that does not have a row of dancing girls in the background. This production is lavish all the way, even if the pacing is a little slow, almost operatic. I swear that twenty-five minutes of the three-hour film is spent with characters just talking with exaggerated joy about how excited they are that family member Devdas (Shahrukh Khan of ASOKA and HEY RAM) is returning from London.
The story takes place in the late 1800s. Devdas has studied law in London for ten years and is now returning to his home in India. And what a home it is, a huge mansion provided by his father, a respected judge who has been knighted by Queen Victoria. Devdas wants to see all his family but is most anxious to see Paro, his childhood sweetheart and neighbor. All is happy until Devdas and Paro announce their love for each other. Devdas's mother trusts her son, but Paro's parents and the judge are all desperately opposed to the match. Paro's parents think that the beautiful young woman can catch a richer man and the judge thinks that marrying Paro will be marrying below his son's station. Devdas's sister seems to just hate them both and also wants to break up the couple.
Paro marries a man who can give her a palace. Devdas has made friends with a courtesan and lives in a fancy brothel. But even then the story is not over. There is more tragedy to come for the couple. The story touches on many things. The importance of status, of money, and the status of courtesans in India all enter into the story. The plot develops slowly, but there are some spectacular scenes.
Visually the film is reminiscent of the more exquisite scenes of THE CELL, though to very different effect. We have a view of what must be the most beautiful red light district in the world lit up at night. We see a palace's celebration of a festival of the goddess Durga, also in beautiful detail, design, and color. The color red seems to run through the entire film, in some cases literally in a repeating image of henna dyed feet leaving red footprints on white marble.
DEVDAS is the kind of film that Rogers and Hammerstein would have made had they been Indian. I rate the film a 7 on the 0 to 10 scale and a low +2 on the -4 to +4 scale.
Mark R. Leeper
mleeper@optonline.net
Copyright 2002 Mark R. Leeper
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