This is a movie that deserves an earnest viewing.You have to admit that any labor of love deserves some kind of appreciation.And, Sanjay Leela Bhansali proves this.That a thing which is made with a lot of love never fails to enthrall.Which is what Devdas is.To compare it to other classics by Bimal Roy and the other directors would be a folly.Because the way he has interpreted it, is somewwhat different.
So, here we have Devdas and Parvati(Paro for short)who are childhood sweethearts and he has gone to London to get himself a barrister’s degree.The movie opens with a letter from Devadas announcing that he is arriving in India.His mother(Smita Jayakar)screeches to anyone who will lend her a ear, that her son is coming home.Now, as usual we have a scheming sister-in-law who is resenting the match of Devdas and Paro.
What follows is pure mayhem as people are at logger heads with each other.Kiron Kher as Paro’s mom makes an impact with her incendiary presence.The scene when she curses Devdas’s family raises your hackles.The chemistry between Shah Rukh and Aishwarya sizzles.Then Devdas has to part ways with Paro and he goes into the arms of a courtesan skilfully played by Madhuri Dikshit.
It is here that his descent into hell starts and you get that sense of foreboding, because you know that the end of Devdas is inevitable.Sanjay Leela Bhansali has done a good job.He has to play to the gallery, which is why there are loud histrionics in the movie.But, you bear this because there are a lot of things to watch out for.Like for instance, the sumptuous sets and the photography which boggles the eye.
The cinematography by Binod Pradhan is fantastic and is a joy to behold.The set pieces by Nitin Desai are too good and you really do not know where to look.This is for those afficionados who like to watch out for period pieces.Performances by everyone are comparable with the best.Shah Rukh is too good as Devdas.His sadness does reach out to you, especially his desperation to be by Paro’s side in his final moments.Those last 15 minutes of the movie will stay with me forever.
Aishwarya Rai is a discovery and she effortlessly surmounts all expectations of her.From the lissome lass to the regal Thakurain, she exudes talent from every pore.And lastly, we come to the cream of the crop, La Dikshit.This lady simply amazes.She as the courtesan is very competent and is a delight to behold.Her dances are done with a rare grace that is not found anywhere else.You cannot help but sympathize with her as she loses Devdas to the bottle.The music again is a revelation.Bairi Piya is just too good and Dola Dola is also lovely.The music is not everyone’s cup of tea as it is in the classical mould.
See this flick without any expectations or comparisons to earlier clasics, and I promise that you will not be disappointed.A must see, then, rather that all the puerile stuff that we are treated to, in the name of cinema.