Starring: Shah Rukh, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai

Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Producer - Bharat Shah

Music - Ismail Darbar

Lyrics - Nusrat Badr

Score: * * * ½


The movie is mega in a way that it has top star cast, expensive sets and costumes but then it ends there. I found the movie focused more on the aesthetic appeal rather than entertainment. Lot of class appeal but very little mass appeal. It may easily go in the history books as the ?mother of love stories? in Bollywood. Colourful as it is, even the train compartment is so beautiful. Frankly speaking money is wasted in sets which look like props from some museum ? very real but then why not use real locations instead of spending a fortune on erecting sets. There are hardly any outdoor locations and if controlled this movie could have been made in a much lesser cost. Or was Bharat Shah fooled by the production people?

The movie is emotional so make sure you carry your tissues to wipe those moist eyes.

Not many people are aware of the fact that so far as much as nine movies have been made on the life of Devdas in different languages. But the moment one talks about Devdas, people think of Bimal Roy's Devdas, starring Dilip Kumar in the lead.

The film revolves around Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan), Paro (Aishwarya Rai) and Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit).

Devdas is impractical, impulsive and intense by nature; it is for these streaks that he is loved beyond reason. All the wealth in the world has no meaning for Devdas, because all he craves for is love from his family, friends and Paro his beloved. The tragedy is that he could never express his love. He never forgave himself, as it was this, which made him lose his Paro. Yet his unfulfilled love did not stop him from loving unconditionally. He made his love immortal though it destroyed him.

Paro an arrogant lass, yet graceful. Proud, yet dignified. Strong headed, yet soft- spoken. These paradoxes only accentuated her classic beauty. From the innocence of childhood to the indiscretion of youth, she loved only one man-Devdas. Once wedded to another man, she was a devoted wife. But this woman had to constantly fight a silent, losing battle with a little girl and the demure woman.

Chandramukhi is a peerlessly beautiful courtesan; ironically she made the world dance at her feet. It was her sensuality, her grace, and most importantly her golden heart that did magic. She indeed had everything until she met Devdas. She attained peace. She gave up all she had for the love of a man who could never be her's and yet she felt enriched with the legacy of loving him.

The film is all about two child-hood friends Devdas and Paro, who could not live without each other. Devdas's father does not approve of Paro's and Devdas marriage. Angered, Devdas leaves home and finds refuge with Chuni Babu (Jackie Shroff), whose relation with Devdas is never really disclosed.

Heartbroken, Paro gets married to a much older man. This leads Devdas to liquor and Chandramukhi, a stunning courtesan. Time passes and Chandramukhi renounces her world of glamour, dance and music and makes a life in which only she and Devdas exist. On the other hand, Paro takes on the role of wife and mother with sincerity and compassion, but Devdas always remained on her mind.

The day comes when Devdas' last moments are near, he goes to Paro's house (as he had promised her that he would meet her before his life ends) but the gates remain closed and the gates of heaven open for Devdas.

The first half is interesting, but Ash looks too artificial but in the 2nd half she is very natural.

The cinematography is breathtaking, the locations and sets exquisite, and vintage costumes and jewelry highly elegant.

There are many tender and touching scenes in the film but the picturisation to the 'Hamesha Tumko Chaha' song gives you a lump in your throat.

Dialogues by Prakash Kapadia are to be heard to be believed. First-rate, to say the least.

Shah Rukh is as usual himself, brilliant - the dying scene will be too hard for his fans, as it looks so real.

Jackie's role is not so well defined. Kiron Kher gives a brilliant performance especially when she challenges Shah Rukh's family and her loud dance performance.

Overall credit goes to Bhansali for this classic of all times.