The next most awaited thing after the fifa world cup. The movie that cost the producer 50 crores. Revisiting an old story with a new look. New look, as in, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has taken the liberty of making some changes.
The movie has already premiered at the prestigious Cannes film festival in the out of completion section on may23. The music is tantalizing. It has a stunning star cast. A Sanjay Leela Bhansali direction. An age old theme relived and revisited. A giant budget movie……. Some of the few reasons why you should not miss this saga of a great timeless love.
Direction: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Producer: Bharat Shah
Music Director: Ismail Darbar
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai, Jackie shroff,Vijendra Ghatke, Smita Jayakar, Kiron Kher.
The movie is an adaptation of the Sarat Chandra Chatopadhay novel ‘Devdas’. This is not the first time this concept has captured the Indian minds, it has inspired 9 Indian films in 4 Indian languages. This is the 3rd bollywood adaptation.
This is the story of a legend, Devdas (played by Shah Rukh), a poignant, tempestuous lover. One who weaves a bright colourful tale of his love, the only difference being his is a doomed tale.
Paro (played by Aishwarya Rai), is Devdas’s love. The prettiest of god’s creation that competes with the moon in beauty (!). A woman who is still a girl within, one who has nurtured her love for Devdas right from childhood. Chandramukhi, (played by Madhuri Dixit) is a tawaif, a kothewali (courtesan at a brothel). She plays an absolutely unbelievable role. A courtesan, who had the world falling at her feet, falls so totally in love with Devdas, well aware of the fact that she will not be loved. She loves him unconditionally, so much so that she worships him.
The smart Jackie Shroff plays Chunni Lal. The pivotal role of Chunni Lal demands nothing less than an actor of his cadre, good looks blent so well with talent. Chunni Lal is a friend in need and deed to Devdas. The only retreat when the rest of the world shunned him.
THE PLOT OF THE TALE:
Devdas Mukherjee, son of Narayan Mukherjee returns after 10 years of study in London to his village Taj Sonpur. The two things he remembers distinctly are his strict father who always chided him and his childhood playmate Paro. Devdas and Paro had spent their childhood in a sweet reverie where all they had was fun in games and love for each other. Now having reached the prime of their age, realize haw much they have nurtured their love for each other and are just about to get lost in another reverie when they are interrupted. They face familial opposition as Dev’s family disregards Paro’s family as one of a lower clan to marry Dev and Paro. Eventually Paro gets married to Zamindar Bhuvan and goes on to carry on her duties as his wife.
Devdas then meets Chandramukhi. His contempt towards her is openly flaunted. That appeals to her so much that she falls in love with the man who is dying for a woman who is already another man’s wife who by the way cannot stop thinking of Devdas.(phew!)
So then Devdas gets drunk, as he was deprived of the one thing he remembered every time he breathed.
Devdas gets drunk, to drown his sorrow.
Devdas gets drunk to flee from the emptiness that enveloped him.
Devdas gets drunk and continues to drink and drink and drink until another drop of liquor meant poison for him.
What happens in the end?
Well watch the movie!!!
But be ready for the most grueling, gruesome, awful ending.
the plot of the movie is one of its biggest drawbacks. As in, it is not something that one would watch to enjoy or get entertained. this should be watched probably the following reasons
not 1 but 2 gorgeous women on screen
sets that definitely need appreciation
dances that are applaudable
songs that enchant and take you back in time
finally a director with some sense in his head and knows the art of filmmaking(unlike karan johar who makes illogical movies and bags awards)
shah rukh delivers his best as usual.
The effort needs appreciation, but not the plot of the story which by the way is totally unacceptable today.
- dialogues, lyrics hold great significance.
Others in the frame with applaudable performances are Kiron Kher as Sumitra, Paro’s mother. Smita Jayakar as Kausalya is Devdas’s mother.
Both take pride in their children and want them to walk in the direction laid out by them. The only difference being Paro’s mother understands the blossoming love in the kids while Dev’s mother intentionally overlooks it, (owing to her upper clan mentality). The very charming and handsome Vijayendra Ghatke plays the wealthy Thakur who marries Paro. He is much much older to Paro and having a daughter paro’s age, treats her with all respect, gives her all she deserves as a Thakurain, yet making it clear that he will always love Subhadra. Ananya Khare plays Dev’s bhabi-the perfectly snobbish, jealous, envious kinds.
Songs are mind blowing and are in perfect rhythm to complement the mood of the movie. Ismail Durbar gets full five stars for the music score. One of the songs has been composed by Pandit Birju Maharaj who also choreographed the dance sequences for Madhuri. Both Aish and Madhuri get 5stars for their dances. They do nothing less than provide a treat to the eye.
Costumes are breathtaking. A wonderful blend of colours, patterns and designs giving the protagonists an out of the world attire. Designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla mark their debut as film costume designers with Devdas. Most of Madhuri’s outfits cost as much as 15 lakhs (each!) and one of the ghagras is said to have weighed 30kgs (which made dancing with it virtually impossible for her!). The typical Bengali style of sarees, ornaments, hairstyles and makeup are well portrayed.
The sets need a separate mention. It was as if they went back in time and captured the scene. The chessboard floors, huge stairs, haveli, lightings, chandeliers with candles lit, lanterns, pots, curtains, doors ………….(that explains the 50 crores) everything is picked from the past.
Chandramukhi’s haveli (brothel) is said to have been built on the bank of a river. It is a total treat to the eye. Mirrored walls, coloured glass walls, thousands of candles in a room, fountains, ponds, furniture, crockery, are all well lain.
Overall, not an enthralling movie but definitely with big picture, big sound, there’s lots to take in, in one shot.
