I love Bollywood movies but the best I ever watched till now undoubtedly remains the greatest Hindi movie ever. It has even been premiered at the Cannes festival and has won countless awards as one of the most expensive Bollywood movies of all times. I watched the French version of the movie and it was as stunning as critics claimed it was. This film does more than offering a slice of Indian culture and traditions. This film is so much more than the usual dramas and songs which traditionally form the centre of Hindi movies. Devdas is a saga, a passionate emblem of unconditional love.
The plot centers around the intense relationship between a high class boy, Devdas (played by Shah Rukh Khan and a middle class girl called Paro (played by Aishwarya Rai). As you might guess, the high class family of the boy objects to their marriage and the drama evolves from there. But do not be fooled, though. Like I said, it is so much more than the typical boy-meets-girl, parents object stories. In all the movies that I ever watched, I never, ever, ever saw such an intense relationship or chemistry between two
characters. And I doubt that I ever will. Aishwarya Rai and Sha Rukh Khan are pure electricity in motion. The eye play, the smiles, and the body gestures in such an epic decorative background can melt the heart of any individual. I was so captivated by such a display of love that I had goose bumps all throughout the three-hour movie!
While I watched the French version (my parents forced me to learn French as a kid!) of the movie, it is also available in Hindi with English subtitles. The songs are all in Hindi only though- with usual English subtitles. In fact, the songs undoubtedly remain my favorite elements in the movie. Even if they are hard to understand without the subtitles, there is not one song which will not touch your heart. They are all deep, melodious and the words are extraordinary. In addition, most of the songs have extremely beautiful and picturesque backgrounds. One of my favorite songs, for example, takes place in a romantic nightly atmosphere with the two lovers, moonlight, a lake, waterfall and trees. And this is just one of the deep songs in the movie! When you read the song translations via the subtitles, I am convinced that like me, you will not remain with dry eyes!
The acting is so, so, so undoubtedly marvellous that I am sure my review will not do justice to it! The cast is made up of the best actors in Indian Cinema, including Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff. These are the sort of actors who will leave you speechless with bewilderment over their picture-perfect acting. They all blend well into their respective characters, and during the three hours duration, there is not even a single second where you feel that they are acting. Absolutely nothing is forced, and since the movie lays high emphasis on soliloquies and facial close-ups, I was expecting at least one tiny mistake or forced expression. But everything was perfection incarnated. The story is so much deeper than you would have expected, and yet, I who usually love light movies, was marveled by this one. The director, producer and most importantly, the actors, never leave you feeling bored. Like I mentioned above, Paro and Devdas share the sort of deep, intense bond which I can easily call soul-mates, and which I can even more easily rate above the legendary relationship between Romeo and Juliet. I said it once, and say it again- I have never seen such intense chemistry between two on-screen characters.
The costumes! The costumes are simply outstanding and magical in all their aspects. Rich, exotic Indian Saris, jewelry which could have been considered as overly-heavy, but which fit so well with the plot and storyline, along with flawless makeup and hair ornaments. I was baffled by the perfection of it all. Sha Rukh Khan was as dashing as always and there were moments where I just couldn't stand looking at Aishwarya Rai without wanting to either burst into tears or strangle her! If she is considered as the "most beautiful face in the world", this L'Oreal ambassador was even more flawless in the movie! And both actors proved their worth- they were so, so, so much more than just pretty faces.
The movie is an epic drama which holds deep themes such as betrayals, friendship, alcoholism, social class, prostitution and most importantly love. I will not stop repeating this: This is undoubtedly the most intense love story I have ever watched!
One might think that at slightly more than three hours, it would be too long or boring but take my word on that- you are left wanting more by the end of the movie.
CAST: Shahrukh Khan Madhuri Dixit Aishwarya Rai Jackie Shroff Kiron Kher Smita Jaykar Tiku Talsania Ananya Khare Vijay Crishna Sunil Rege
Thanks for reading!
(note: also published on dooyoo)
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Advantages: The most unbeliveable cinematography ever seen in a movie, and ofcourse it has Aishwarya Ria in it. For those who don't know.. simply put she is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN ON THE PLANET!!!!! Disadvantages: A little long for those who get restless after the first 2 hours of a movie.
aneesh7 30.05.2003 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Devdas (DVD)
Advantages: The most unbeliveable cinematography ever seen in a movie, and ofcourse it has Aishwarya Ria in it. For those who don't know.. simply put she is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN ON THE PLANET!!!!! Disadvantages: A little long for those who get restless after the first 2 hours of a movie.
aneesh7 30.05.2003 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Devdas (DVD)
![Devdas [DVD] [2002] [NTSC]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78494943.jpg "Devdas [DVD] [2002] [NTSC]")
Jul 21st, 2009
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