Sanjay Leela Bhansali
’s
Devdas
has been a fan favorite ever since it released more than two decades back, in 2002. The movie starred Shah Rukh Khan,
Madhuri Dixit
and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles, along with
Jackie Shroff
. Bhansali is known for visual aesthetics and grand sets. While it took a lot to make Devdas happen, including a mammoth cost, grand sets worth crores and hundreds of outfits, a lot more happened behind the scenes.
Not many know that the leading star, Shah Rukh Khan, didn’t want to do the film initially.
Viral Video: 'Unwell' Shah Rukh Khan's heartwarming interaction with specially-abled fan is winning hearts on internet
It was director Sanjay Leela Bhansali who managed to convince SRK, stating that he wouldn’t do the film without him. At a time when the actor had created a certain type of image for himself with films like Baazigar, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Mohabbatein, Devdas came as a fresh wave of air for Shah Rukh.
Anupama Chopra talked about Devdas in an old Film Companion Retake episode. She said, “Sanjay believed that only he (Shah Rukh Khan) could play Devdas because he felt that he has hurt in his eyes and there is something about him that never heals." Later in the conversation, Chopra also spoke about Devdas’ Cannes premiere and recalled the remarks made by film critic
Derek Malcolm
. “It is a pretty silly three hours worth of romance, songs, and dance. An utterly tasteless, luxuriant production design," she said, quoting The Guardian.
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