Devdas (2002)

देवदास

Devdas is a film of extremes.  It features lush, dream-like, fantastic sets, three larger-than-life superstars in Aishwarya Rai, Shah Rukh Khan, and Madhuri Dixit, and some of the most beautiful song and dance I have seen in any film.  And yet, despite all that, it is a simply dreadful film. 

The blurb on the DVD box describes it as "The saga of a man who loved, loved, and just loved."  I would say rather that it is the story of a man who was self-absorbed, abusive, and just pathetic.  Devdas (Shah Rukh), returning from ten years abroad, is reunited with his childhood love Paro (Aishwarya).  But his family rejects their plan to marry, and Paro agrees to marry a man whom her parents find suitable.  Devdas declines the opportunity to elope with Paro on the eve of her marriage, and writes her a harsh letter, which he immediately regrets. After that he attempts to drown his misery in a bottle, spending his time in the company of a melancholy courtesan Chandramukhi (Madhuri).  Chandramukhi actually does love Devdas, though one must wonder why, as he is little more than a narcissistic, simpering drunk.  Meanwhile Paro's married life has not been much of a picnic - her husband, it turns out, has no interest in her at all, and married only to look after his household and his children.  Paro and Devdas have a couple of pathetic reunions, and the film trundles ponderously on to its predictable and overwrought conclusion.   

Paro and Chandramukhi are exemplars of one of the most grating of movie archetypes, the beautiful woman who showers unwavering love and devotion on a singularly undeserving man.  In one of the film's more absurd sequences, Paro and Chandramukhi meet, and sing a song together ("Dola re") in which they join their voices in praise of Devdas.  Even leaving aside the unlikely scenario of an aristocrat's wife inviting a tawaif into her home - such bold acts of egalitarian taboo-breaking are common and forgiveable in the movies - the song is a stretch, as it is hard to imagine how a downer like Devdas could really be "in the bindi on my forehead" or "in the jingle of my bangles."  Devdas spends so much of the film lying about, moaning, and spilling liquor - more booze ends up on his clothes and on the furniture than in his mouth, it seems - that it might more believably be said that he is "in the ache of my forehead" and "in the crud between my toes."  The film's ending might be designed to draw tears, but from me it drew rather a sigh of relief, and mild consternation that it hadn't come an hour and a half sooner. 

From what I have seen, Bollywood fans either love this film or hate it.  From where I sit, it totally, utterly failed.  Many of the comments that I've read defending Devdas seem more to be praising the film that Devdas could have been rather than the film it actually was.  Anything of depth that it might have had to say about the nature of love or the human condition was lost in the opulence of the sets, the glitter of the superstar cast, and the many poor judgments made by the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali.  While Madhuri is as dignified and excellent as she ever was, and Aishwarya is passable, Shah Rukh turns in a ridiculous performance that is bombastic and overwrought even by the standards of high melodrama.  Shah Rukh Khan's performance doesn't amplify emotions - it caricatures them. 

The film has one redeeming feature: the gorgeous songs, which keep the DVD in my player as I watch them again and again.  Madhuri - one of the most delightful dancers that Bollywood has ever produced - is absolutely breathtaking in Devdas, one of her last performances before the hiatus that she has unfortunately taken since her marriage.  Her finest moment in the film is her introduction, the mesmerizing "Kahe chhed mohe".  She is simply sublime.  "Dola re," which I mentioned above, is not the film's best song, but it is anthropologically interesting - to me it reads as a passing of the mantle from Madhuri to Aishwarya - from the last decade's queen of Bollywood to this decade's.  Other musical highlights include the drinking song "Chalak chalak," and "Maar daala," Chandramukhi's declaration of love to an ungrateful, distracted Devdas.

Comments

[Sanni]

I've only seen a part of this film. I don't enjoy Sanjay Lee Bhansali's sense of aesthetics. In fact I may be the only BW fan on this planet to find the songs in Devdas sort of awful in their visual opulence. I've tried watching Dola Re several times and it hurts my eyes - too much glitz.

I have consider watching it all the way through but I've been advised against it because, and I quote, "it'll make you hate SRK". And because I still like King Khan despite some of his annoying performances and his occasionally arrogant fans, I don't want to risk hating him with this movie I know I won't like.

I've probably given you this anti-recommendation before but don't make the mistake of watching Kal Ho Na Ho. Unless you're watching it for Saif Ali Khan (one of the best excuses to watch any film in my books), though for that guy, I could give you a list of at least 5 movies easily more worth watching than KHNH.

[carla]

Sanni, I know just what you mean about "Dola re", and as much as I rave about the naach-gaana in *Devdas*, "Dola re" is not among my favorites from the film. I think it is *interesting* as a kind of passing-of-the-mantle from the last decade's queen of Bollywood (Madhuri) to this decade's (Aishwarya) but it is neither my favorite song nor my favorite dance.

I suppose I'd rank the Devdas songs/picturizations as follows:

1. kahe chhed mohe
2. chalak chalak
2. maar daala
2. silsila yeh chaahat ka
5. morey piya
5. dola re
7. the other two songs - too much SRK "romance", not enough dancing

But there is VERY little space separating #1 and the #2s.

[Daddy's Girl]

I personally like 'Devdas' - it's not a great film or anything, and Bhansali definitely failed in his ambition to create a tragic, romantic epic - but I think it definitely has its memorable moments. I really liked Kirron Kher's performance - especially the scene in which she dances and is spectacularly embarrassed at Devdas' house. And, as you've noted, Madhuri's dances are beautiful.

I understand your distaste for the portrayal of the woman who is totally devoted to a throroughly undeserving and spineless man. In 'real life', though (at least in my corner of the world), not just in the movies, that type of blind and almost self-flagellating love that Chandramukhi exhibits is often praised and lauded as the epitome of 'womanhood'.

In Paro's case of course, it's easier for us to 'believe in' her love for Devdas because we don't actually get to see 'her Devdas' (the one she grew up with and loved as a child) - for all we know he might have been a pretty decent type of guy when he was younger - and even if he wasn't, it's not unexpected that she would romantically turn him into one during his time away in England (or wherever he went). And I think it's also understandable that, just for the sake of their happy loving childhood, she would still care for him and want to help him even after he goes and turns into an idiotic lout.

As for SRK, I guess I'm prejudiced because I like him a lot - but although many of his I'm-so-dead-drunk-and-so-in-love-with-Paro-and-I'm-so-going-to-turn-myself-into-a-royal-pain-in-the-universe's-behind scenes were terribly OTT, I think he portrayed the weakness and the lack of spirit and substance of his character (as Bhansali chose to depict Devdas) excellently. I particularly liked him in the homecoming scene and the scene at Paro's wedding.

[carla]

Thanks for your insightful comments DG! I especially appreciate your comments on Paro.

I'm probably equally prejudiced about SRK because I don't like him very much at all - (: - but I do think this is the worst performance of his that I've seen.

One thing I should say, though, is that I think *Devdas* is an example of tragically wasted potential - if I just thought it was an unredeemably dreadful film I wouldn't spend as much time as I do thinking or talking about it. I wish I could see the film that *Devdas* should have been.

[mitu]

madhiri you are the best actor in bollywod I don't see devedas but I see your movie koyla I realy like this movie After I saw this movie I like Indian movie madhuri you are very beutiful.

[carla]

Thanks for visiting Filmi Geek, mitu ... I don't know if Madhuri will read your message here but I have to say I'll be delighted if she does! (:

[anais]

j aime bien les flim indien

[a PPCC representative]

Completely agreed! The songs were gorgeous (Maar Daala being my favorite), but everything else was a train wreck. I'm sure it COULD be turned into something worthwhile and tragic, but this film at least is just awful aaaand terribly offensive to women, I think.

[AksFilmi]

Shah Rukh Khan is mindblowing as Devdas. He plays his character with such finesse and aplomb that it is sheer delight to watch him. He evokes the right kind of emotions in the viewers’ hearts, never once going overboard. He looks splendid and mesmerises the audience with his acting in many scenes. As a man madly in love, he proves that there could have been no better choice than him for the role.

None Can Replace King Khan In Devdas - me was not impressed they way bansali Project his devdas

Great Movie

[carla]

Well, AksFilmi, I guess what makes talking about movies fun is that we don't all agree about them! Thanks for your comment, hope to see you again soon.

[maxqnz]

Nice review again, carla. I love all things SLB in much the same way Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loves all things Texan, but despite finding this film to be an emotionally dead, ridiculously and pointlessly extravagant visual glut, I *did* like Dola Re. Maybe because I can actually stomach OTT for about that long. Also, I found this movie to be merely devoid of merit, and merely dislike it. unlike Black, which I found morally and ethically repugnant, and which I actively loathe.

[maxqnz]

I forgot to add that even though I knew it wouldn't happen, I was kinda hoping that there would be a happy ending to the love triangle, just without Paro. :-)

Sorry, Freudian slip. I meant to say without Devdas. I must have been thinking that Paro was too good for either of them, and needed someone more like me.

[carla]

max, that's too funny. I often think that love triangle films would end up quite differently if I had written them ...

[Sundus]

Dear Carla,
Thanks so much for your review! I couldn't agree more with your assessment of Shahrukh. I have wondered for years what is it about him that drives Indian women crazy? As a Latin American female in her mid-twenties, I can tell you that he comes out a little too feminine when trying to portray love scenes. And he is usually all about overacting and yelling; not to mention the psycho attempts and his preference for verbally and physically abusive characters. Indeed, pathetic.
Devdas introduced me to Madhuri; which was the best gift ever! I still can't stop admiring her graciousness and charm. The opulence, as you rightfully describe, of the sets and the dresses! Madhuri looks like a queen, and makes Aishwarya look even fake.
Thanks so much for your reviews, they are absolutely fascinating!

[Ashwini]

Hi Carla,

As usual it was a fascinating read...your review & the comments that followed. I do agree with you when you say that Devdas is a dreadful film (besides Bhansali's over opulent handling). The core of the movie: a loser guy and two wonderful women pining for him is hard to swallow. But probably that's what made the subject so fascinating to film makers.
I am presuming that you folks already know that the movie is inspired by yet another Bengali novel by the same name.
A man who could have everything, if he only had the guts to stand up to his family, traditions and probably society drowns himself in alcohol instead. His childhood love resigns herself into marriage to a widower much older, takes on responsibilities of his grown children all the while knowing that her dreams of happy marriage, kids of her own, and maybe love etc. are crushed forever. Add a courtesan to the equation: who can never have any standing in the society, probably not even love just because she is a courtesan. It's a tragedy from start to finish with everybody caught in the web of their own, surrendering to fate without putting up a fight!
In the original story, Paro & Chandramukhi never meet each other. In fact even Devdas never meets Paro once she's married - there was no way to do so. Paro, like any Bengali Bahu was confined to the inner most sanctums of the household...never to be seen by a stranger (as in an outsider/male member) again. Bhansali skewed the storyline just to encash on the Madhuri vs. Aishwarya cast.
If you get a chance (and dvd) watch the older Devdas - starring Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen (as Paro) & Vayjayantimala (as Chandramukhi). The movie is black & white and is true to its Bengali roots. But you'll have to be patient because it drags at times. We saw the older version before watching the newer version just to gain a better perspective. Not that it helped. But it may redeem "Devdas" to some extent.

Warmest Regards,

[Ashwini]

Hi Carla,

As usual it was a fascinating read...your review & the comments that followed. I do agree with you when you say that Devdas is a dreadful film (besides Bhansali's over opulent handling). The core of the movie: a loser guy and two wonderful women pining for him is hard to swallow. But probably that's what made the subject so fascinating to film makers.
I am presuming that you folks already know that the movie is inspired by yet another Bengali novel by the same name.
A man who could have everything, if he only had the guts to stand up to his family, traditions and probably society drowns himself in alcohol instead. His childhood love resigns herself into marriage to a widower much older, takes on responsibilities of his grown children all the while knowing that her dreams of happy marriage, kids of her own, and maybe love etc. are crushed forever. Add a courtesan to the equation: who can never have any standing in the society, probably not even love just because she is a courtesan. It's a tragedy from start to finish with everybody caught in the web of their own, surrendering to fate without putting up a fight!
In the original story, Paro & Chandramukhi never meet each other. In fact even Devdas never meets Paro once she's married - there was no way to do so. Paro, like any Bengali Bahu was confined to the inner most sanctums of the household...never to be seen by a stranger (as in an outsider/male member) again. Bhansali skewed the storyline just to encash on the Madhuri vs. Aishwarya cast.
If you get a chance (and dvd) watch the older Devdas - starring Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen (as Paro) & Vayjayantimala (as Chandramukhi). The movie is black & white and is true to its Bengali roots. But you'll have to be patient because it drags at times. We saw the older version before watching the newer version just to gain a better perspective. Not that it helped. But it may redeem "Devdas" to some extent.

Warmest Regards,