As a dedicated follower of Bollywood, I find myself deeply immersed in the ongoing debate surrounding the character of Devdas. Having grown up watching countless films that portray complex characters, I can appreciate the nuances and layers that Sanjay Leela Bhansali brings to his work.
Complex characters in Bollywood have been a reason for debate among filmmakers and actors, and one such character is Devdas. Sanjay Leela Bhansali made the film Devdas based on the 1917 novel of the same name. A few weeks ago, Shah Rukh expressed how he didn’t like the character because it demanded women and had commitment issues. In a new interview, its director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, defended Devads and explained that he felt it was a noble and loved Paro with all his heart.
In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali delved into the intricacies of his movie ‘Devdas’ as well as its main character. Over time, numerous individuals have viewed Devdas as a problematic figure, and Bhansali acknowledged that this view was shared by some of his actors. Yet, he offers a unique perspective on the character.
He said, “My actors didn’t understand why we’re telling this story. They said, ‘Oh, it’s romanticizing alcoholism.’ I said, ‘This is the story of a man who was loved.’ What is our biggest duty in this life? To love and give love. Does anyone love Devdas? I wanted to say, ‘If you love somebody, that’s how you love’.”
As an ardent admirer, I firmly believe that Sanjay Bhansali views Devdas as a paragon of nobility due to his courageous decision to embrace love, a sentiment poignantly portrayed in the countless times he utters Paro’s name. In essence, this film, according to him, is not just any story, but an extraordinary tale of love. To quote him directly, “Devdas is more than just a movie; it’s a narrative about a man consumed by love. Why have so many tried to recreate Devdas? Because they call him a failure. I disagree. He’s the most honorable among my characters. His heart belonged to Paro. If you asked him anything, he would respond with ‘Paro.’ That, my friend, is love. That, indeed, is a love story.
Recently, the topic has been brought into focus as Shah Rukh Khan, who portrayed Devdas in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, had an interview with the Locarno Film Festival a few weeks back. In this discussion, the actor expressed his concerns about playing Devdas because he didn’t want viewers to appreciate him for portraying a character that disrespected women and failed to fully commit to them.
The actor expressed that he intended for the character to appear weak and unworthy of admiration. He praised Sanjay Leela Bhansali for crafting the movie skillfully, but added that no one desires to emulate Devdas; instead, he’s a character best left in the film.
2002 saw the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s blockbuster film “Devdas,” which tells the story of Devdas, who falls in love with his childhood friend Paro, only to be prevented from marrying her by his family’s disapproval. Struggling with heartache and despair, he turns to alcohol as a means of coping. This movie was one of the costliest ever produced in Bollywood, featuring stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit.
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2024-10-08 12:39