Devdas (2002/I)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Writers:

Saratchandra Chatterjee (based on the novel by)
Prakash Kapadia (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 July 2002 (UK)

Genre:

Musical | Romance

Tagline:

A grand saga of timeless love

Plot:

After his wealthy family prohibits him from marrying the woman he is in love with, Devdas Mukherjee's life spirals further and further out of control as he takes up alcohol and a life of vice to numb the pain.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Marriage | Courtesan | Alcoholism | Alcoholic

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 44 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Shahrukh Khan	...	Devdas Mukherji
Madhuri Dixit	...	Chandramukhi
Aishwarya Rai	...	Parvati ('Paro')
Jackie Shroff	...	Chunnilal
Kiron Kher	...	Sumitra
Smita Jaykar	...	Kaushalya
Tiku Talsania	...	Dharamdas
Vijayendra Ghatge	...	Bhuvan Choudhry
Milind Gunaji	...	Kalibabu
Ananya Khare	...	Kumud
Manoj Joshi	...	Dwijdas
Ava Mukherjee	...	Dev's Badima (as Ava Mukherji)
Dina Pathak	...	Badima
Vijay Crishna	...	Narayan Mukherji
Muni Jha	...	Kaka

Runtime:

185 min | UK:182 min | France:165 min (Cannes Film Festival)

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi | Bengali

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Aarey Colony, India

Company:

Mega Bollywood

Trivia:

Ismail Darbar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali spent two-and-a-half years to compose the music. Each song, being complicated in their structure, had to be mixed eight to nine times, but the recording took only ten days.

Quotes:

Devdas Mukherjee: I object!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Coxwell & Gerrard (2008)

Soundtrack:

Hamesha Tumko Chaha

A Film To Remember

Devdas is easily the most extravagant, glamorous, visually pleasant movie you will ever see in Bollywood. While some called it too much, I found it perfect. Sanjay Leela Bhansali knows his job well. Never once in this movie, can I call it a dull moment. In fact, there are no words to describe this movie. The costumes, art direction, cinematography

However, beneath all that glamor, there is substance which makes it even better. The movie is an adaption of the book. The story is a twisted and modernized version of the original and it worked. The story is well thought out. The only thing that annoyed me was the daughter-in-law. But that flaw gets overshadowed in this brilliant piece of art. Though this is not better than Bhansali's other works, it is still an honor calling this his worst movie (please notice the irony). However, his direction is probably at his best.

Bhansali is excellent at casting. This movie is probably best chosen. Shahrukh Khan can play millions of roles terrifically, Devdas is his most accomplished. Though it is not his best, he idolizes the tragic Bollywood hero. Aishwarya Rai was an angel. Her screen presence is electrifying, and nobody could have been better. Same goes for Madhuri. Madhuri Dixit was magical in all of her scenes. However, her charm is missing, as Madhuri is not the same as we last saw her. Kiron Kher is perfect. Smita Jaykar was adequate. Jackie Shroff was okay, but the role wasn't supposed to be likable. The rest of the cast were good as well.

The songs were nice and deserved the Best Music Awards. Dola Re Dola is my favorite song. Madhuri and Aishwarya are terrific dancers. Silsila Yeh Chahaat Ka is terrific and danced perfectly by Aishwarya Rai. Hamesha Tumko Chahaa (I Always Loved You) is the saddest song I have ever heard and takes advantage of that on screen. Maar Dala (He Killed Us) and Kaahe Chhed Mohe are choreographed to perfect and Madhuri is amazing. Bairi Piya and Morey Piya were romantic and lovable. Chalak Chalak may not be enjoyable to some but I liked it for its playfulness. I didn't like how they took out Woh Chand Jaisi Ladki as it remains one of my favorite songs. The movie was good, and is a must see.