Dev D: The Modern Day Interpretation of The Classic Novel “Devdas”

Star rating:

Cast: Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Mahi Gill, Parakh Madan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Anurag Kashyap

Music Director: Amit Trivedi

Lyricist: Shellee, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Shruti Pathak, Mani

The classic novel, “Devdas” by one of the greatest Indian novelists, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay has always found a special place in Bollywood. This is the reason why there have been so many interpretations of this love saga in the tinsel town- beginning with the movie where KL Saigal played the intense character of Devdas to movies starring legendary Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan as the leading protagonist. Now, has come another interpretation of “Devdas” in the form of Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D. While the previous all films had the same title “Devdas”, this just released film bears a modern name. In fact, the title “Dev D” is apt to the film’s modern day backdrop. Written and directed by Anurag Kashyap and produced by UTV’s Ronnie Screwvala, this movie presents free thought, exuberance and recklessness of today’s youth.

The movie has been extremely well-written and may be liked by audience for being completely different from the other movies made till date on this classic novel. You may be shocked to see some of the intimate scenes between Dev (played by Abhay Deol) and Paro (played by a budding star, Mahi Gill), as such a thing has never been tried before in any of the previous Devdas movies. However, as it is a modern Devdas, such things may find acceptance with today’s generation. Even the character of Chandramukhi (Chanda in Dev D) played by Kalki Koechlin has been portrayed in bold shades, including an MMS scandal that turns her into a hooker.

However, unlike in previous Devdas movies, Chanda in Dev D leads a double life- that of a hooker and a student quite smartly. However, the scenes between Dev and Chanda were not at all impressive when compared to those between Dev and Paro. Also, Abhay’s indulgence into drugs post Paro’s marriage was sometimes becoming too unbearable to watch. The drugs chapter was, in fact, quite surprising, as it came from the maker of “No Smoking”. With Dev D, Kashyap has definitely tried to go a bit too far. While the movie can really displease those who have liked the old versions of Devdas played by Dilip Kumar and KL Saigal, it can be a great entertainer for today’s youth that is influenced by conflicting values, sense of independence, and to some extent, being rebellious.

To make the film appeal to today’s young generation, the entire star cast, including Abhay Deol was present at Al’s Tattoo parlour in Bandra. The music of the film, which too sounds rebellious just like the movie, has been composed by Amit Trivedi. With this film, Abhay Deol has come a long way. He has simply been splendid as Dev. The two young girls also pulled their characters quite well.