Movie Review: Dev D (Hindi) 90

Genre: Drama/ Romance

Devdas, the desi heartbreak icon from the 1917 Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel has over the years had over a dozen stars play it in as many languages. Probably, the audience’s emotional connect with failed romances that real life is replete with is the lifeblood of this century old character. Vis-à-vis the Dilip Kumar, Nageswara Rao, and SRK versions, Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D is contemporary, creative and realistic.

Having rated Kashyap’s ‘No Smoking’ among the worst movies I know of, my prediction was quantal ‘either Dev D would be truly amazing or turn out to be a complete disaster’. A neat script-art-music and a flawless Abhay Deol turned Dev D into a masterpiece. Although different in packaging, this time, Kashyap had the comfort of Devdas being a well known story. Probably lessons from the abstraction misadventure were well learnt.

Set in Punjab, debauched Dev, the London educated son of a rich industrialist, dumps childhood sweetheart Paro, probably for being promiscuous, showing the decadent male obsession with virginity. The break up hits him hard as she moves on and marries an older man with kids. Dev turns to vodka and drugs funded by a doting father. Events lead a lost Dev to finding solace in Chanda, an escort who has fallen from innocence!

Unlike SRK’s melodramatic Devdas, one is not expected to feel for Dev, but only witness the events as they happen. Rich as he is, Dev has no care for money or inhibitions as he sleeps around, albeit with Paro eternally dwelling on his psyche. A wise man once said, “We are happy or sad with things or events only based on how they affect our emotions. Money and materialism are indirect; but love hits it hard and direct”. Dev embodies this!

Have you ever wondered why you never see a female version of Devdas? Going by Dev D, it has something to do with their innate ability to handle emotional issues better and to move on while the men live in the past and loathe themselves in self pity! Paro not only moves on but also makes it a point to rub in during a rendezvous with Dev, making the best of both worlds with little regret. The selfish hypocrisy of Dev and Paro is evident!

Chandramukhi has always been my favorite character from the story. She is someone who loved Devdas unselfishly when he is at his deepest trough, all alone, shattered and intoxicated with his lost love! Newcomer Kalki koechlin, the French belle, portrays it to perfection from a schoolgirl turned MMS victim and then into flesh trade. Surely, the ending to this story, though not revealed here, will surely leave you with a good feeling!

Sensuousness here is with no-holds barred. Imagine Paro carrying a mattress to the fields to accommodate for her desires with Dev! Can it ever get more direct? Hats off to Anurag Kashyap’s most relevant adaptation of Devdas reflecting today’s acceptance of casual relationships and hip hop lifestyle. Also thralling you are its 18 songs including the anthem Emotional Atyachaar that flow with the movie. You just can’t have enough!

Rating: 9/10 – Must watch creative and in-your-face version of today’s Devdas

Comments

"We are happy or sad with things or events only based on how they affect our emotions. Money and materialism are indirect; but love hits it hard and direct" - man u r running amok!

I guess u have a lil' bit of this in thing for this movie.....not hard to guess why!!!

I think ur review makes me see the movie!.

Actually, had gone thru a cpl of reviews that are very unglowing of the movie. I guess this is one of the rare times when u have disagreed with the mainstream reviews!

This is not to say that your reviews necessarily toe the mainstream, but this one seems to be a no holds barred one!

So, nearing 100, this cud have fitted the 100th!!

So long, n keep goin!!

I don't see any "unpalatable" content here. If u r referring to any, maybe is it the mattress episode?

U have hit the nail on the head when u say that women handle emotions better...maybe that sums up life as such!!


Pradeep Ramakrishnan
Vikas SS said…
@ Pradeep:

Well, isnt that quote so true... BTW, Devdas has been and will be an eternal concept coz it is too close to reality for many :p

You have to see this movie. In fact, the plot is creative, music is fabulous and blends with the narrative, Abhay Deol in the lead looks so natural and so were Mahi Gill and Kalki. Barring a lil slack editing in the first half, you cant ask more from a movie...

I dont think many mainstream reviews have gone against this, except for one or two... Imagine, 90% recommend it on Mouthshut, all non-commercial reviews, rated 9.2 on IMDB, again non-commercial votes... the movie is something...

I wish I could have fitted this fabulous movie to 100... Lets see, some good movie might come around by then... if not, I'll fit it with some old favorite...

On handling emotions better, one of my narrated an anecdote... when god was busy allocating stuff between men and women, he was left with 2 things... men clamoured for it and got the 'thing' while god gave the last remaining item, the 'brain' to the women.... ;)

Thanks for ur patronage dude, keep reading....