Cast:
| Shah Rukh Khan |
Madhuri
Dixit |
Aishwarya
Rai |
Jackie Shroff |
| Kiron
Kher |
Vijayendra
Ghatge |
| Directed by: Sanjay Leela Bhansali |
Son of an affluent zamindar, Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan) opens his eyes to a world where wealth dominates his existence. And he is, at all times, by his lovely playmate Paro (Aishwarya Rai). It is a special childhood and it seems that only Devdas and Paro exist for each other. The reverie is broken when the elders send Devdas to London for his education. When Devdas returns, Paro's mother (Kiron Kher) proposes Devdas and Paro's marriage. But it is not approved by the elders. Heart-broken, Paro enters into a chaste marriage with a wealthy, much older man, Zamindar Bhuvan (Vijayendra Ghatge), while a shattered Devdas takes refuge in anguish, alcoholism and Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit), a stunning courtesan. Strange is fate - intensely loved by two women, but both never meant to be his. One, whom he can never love and the other, he can never stop loving.
Innumerable directors have tackled the story of two childhood lovers facing parental opposition, going their separate ways, yet loving each other. In that respect, the story holds no charm or novelty. But the difference lies in the fact that it is treated differently. The opulent sets, the grandiose look, the ambience makes you gape in astonishment. Technically too, the film is superior. The shot execution, sound quality and cinematography mesmerise you as you embark on a journey into the world of entertainment. The Madhuri – Aishwarya confrontation and the dramatic sequence soon after 'Dola Dola', when Madhuri confronts Milind, are a few instances that endorse the fact that Bhansali is amongst the best in business.
The first half has an enjoyable mix of light moments and dramatic scenes and the interval raises the expectations of a better and much bigger second half. But the post-interval portions fail to hold your attention. There are many tender and touching scenes in the film and the picturisation to the 'Hamesha Tumko Chaha' song produces a lump in your throat. Dialogues by Prakash Kapadia should be heard to be believed.
Shah Rukh Khan excels in a couple of sequences, but seems like repeating his expressions in the others. Madhuri Dixit looks bewitching, but lacks the fire to carry off such a role. It is Aishwarya Rai who steals the show with a performance that takes you by surprise. She dominates the film and her acting is sure to win accolades. Jackie Shroff 's role is not well defined.. Kiron Kher is brilliant. Ananya, as Devdas's scheming sister-in-law, is superb.
Bharat Shah's Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is a saga of mammoth proportions, but it lacks the power to stimulate, mesmerise, captivate and
enthral the viewer.
