Now, in all honesty, this is not exactly my type of film. Doubtlessly, it is beautiful, but the fairytale-like delivery and narrative require patience even though I'm sure it's a superior cinematic experience especially in the cinemas. I enjoyed and appreciated it more than I actually liked it, but sometimes that's enough. Interestingly, this film particularly impressed western viewers, who appreciated its stunning photography. Indeed, Devdas is a true visual treat, a film of great artistic and cinematographic mastery; it is tremendously well shot with lavish sets, costumes, and a story well-known but never in such an astonishing setting. As a matter of fact, the film is such a visual grandeur it takes away from the story itself. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes it more than a regular costume drama though, and his professional and perfectionist approach is evident in every frame. Devdas is mystical and spiritual, and it has great, great songs, and very good-looking actors, but it has soul, and it is clearly Bhansali's attention to detail which makes it world-class cinema. I can totally understand why western audiences find it so good. The numbers, all without exception, are astonishingly good, both melodically and in terms of how they were filmed and visualised. While all mainstream Hindi films made to that point are musicals - Devdas is a musical in the true sense of the word. The narrative IS music, dance and colour, the songs are part of the dialogue and the story, and that's where it scores. It just seems that its core intention is to be a this stunning, melodramatic and extravagant legendary fairy tale, not a serious drama of the sort we're used to.
Does the famous story from Chandra's classic novel matters much when you have a film you can't take your eyes off anyway? Well, decidedly less so, but even in that department Devdas is well made. While most of the supporting cast, including Jackie Shroff and Kiron Kher, act brilliantly in accordance with the film's highly melodramatic energy, the three lead players seem to have been directed to deliver some of their best work. Their performances are spot on and make much of the work by Hollywood actors in musicals of the sort look and sound pretty amateur. It's great that Hindi cinema has areas where it's just incomparable, althhough off late it's been getting lost. The film's star, Shah Rukh Khan, is excellent in his self-destructive character, often rising above the film's melodramatic tone with an in-depth portrayal of the title character's inner storms. What else can one say about Aishwarya Rai except she is impossibly, indescribably beautiful? Well, that she matches it with a wonderful performance. And if these two are not enough, watch out for the show-stealing act by the great star Madhuri Dixit, who sure knows how to romance the camera and cancel everyone else around her. Her dialogue
delivery is amazing, and her dance numbers, oh boy did she nail them! They convey so much of Chandramukhi's feelings and expectancy. Just see her seductive "Kahe Chhede Mohi" - every expression, every line she delivers with her own voice is performed with pure excitement and stays with you after the show is over. The film's ending is well-known, but again, never quite matters. If you are into exhilarating visuals, regardless of your own culture, Devdas is a film for you. Note it is high on drama and emotions and take it in the right context, and you'll enjoy it.
