Movie Review Devdas

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2002 - Spoiler alerts Devdas is an Indian story that has been filmed at least 18 times since the 1917 novel was released but the 2002 Hindi version is the most successful in India and globally and rightly regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time. It is a non-religious tragic love story to rival Romeo And Juliet. It is one of the best Bollywood features ever. Devdas, a young lawyer, (Shah Rukh Khan) and his lover, Paro (Aishwarya Rai) are refused permission to marry due to Devdas's repulsively strict father and Paro's scheming Sister-in-law reminding the wealthy family of Devdas that Paro is a commoner, a servant girl and as a child, given to poaching fruit from the family orchard. Devdas severs ties from Paro thinking he will spare her the pain he feels by saying he never loved her and runs off to live in a brothel, descending into alcoholism. A courtesan called Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit) falls in love with him, but sees that his heart is breaking for Paro, so she never makes love to him. Paro is given in marriage to a man who does not want to love her or consumate marriage, as he is still in love with his dead first wife. He pitilessly obliges Paro to tend to his servants and family. Paro and Chandramukhi meet and plan to reunite Paro with Devdas and the lovers meet up briefly, and Devdas vows that he will meet her at least once more before his dying breath. Paro's new husband learns of the meeting and refuses to ever let Paro leave the family house again, even when Devdas lies dying from alcohol poisoning right outside the gates. As he dies, the candle flame Paro has kept burning to carry her love for Devdas goes out and the film immediately ends. Beautifully sumptuous throughout in its lavish colours, and the musical numbers blend in to the script perfectly, this is a real emotional roller coaster story with a devastatingly sad ending. Youtube - Unsubtitled song from the movie as Devdas meets Chandramukhi Arthur Chappell