DEV D

RGV (Ram Gopal Varma) said this in an interview for PFC (Passion for Cinema) about DEV D that people would not be interested in to watch Devdas again with a sarcastic smile. These words from RGV were running in my mind while I entered the cinema hall to watch DEV D.

The start credits gratified sincere thanks to Danny Boyle. I recalled the interview of Anurag Kashyap (Director of DevD) when he consulted with Danny about the type of camera to be used to shoot underwater sequences of Abhay Deol. Danny suggested him to use the camera which he used for Slumdog Millionaire. I am not able to remember the camera version but it is said to be latest HD camera in recent times. The result was very striking to be honest.

The film started and as expected the film is very different, as Anurag Kashyap is known to make films which means to him lot personally. The film started with a bang with few very unusual scenes between Paro and Dev. That set up the mood of this very raw, unpredictable yet known plot. The plot of Devdas has been used several times in Indian cinema but this one stands out because it shows the raw meaning of love i.e. LUST. Lust is one emotion which controls your life in a positive or in a disastrous way. Moreover the film is said to be made in contemporary format which makes the film different from others, but I felt that emotion of LUST remains the same irrespective of their times.

The way Paro sends her nude clip to Dev in England. Dev after seeing the clip (completely charged up) calls Paro and in excitement says that he is coming India soon! This is what makes Dev D very unique in it’s storytelling aspects as well as the spontaneity that keeps you wondering every now and then. The prostitute or commercial sex worker character Chanda has been portrayed in a very unique way, very independent, very practical, very calm yet she has a past which keeps her in a loop of pain. All these characters are handled in a multi layered way in the form of chapters.

Acting wise the character played by Paro stands out easily. What a find! Mahie Gill being very beautiful has played the role with extreme rawness. The scene where she looses her control when her father discusses a marriage proposal with her! Simply amazing. Abhay Deol has done justice to his role. I cannot commit that this is Abhay’s best performance. The character has been played very naturally yet I believe it lacked the punch! Even the character played by Chanda (Kalki Koechlin) is good but not great when I compare with the one played by Mahie Gill.

The music by Amit Trivedi is praiseworthy. As he is looked onto the one who can give music in comparison with AR Rahman. But honestly the first question aroused in my mind whether 18 songs were really needed for this movie. Secondly as there were many songs in the movie, I personally lost the connect with every other song which would be way ahead in the composition. Nevertheless the music wasn’t an emosional athyachaar!

Talking about Anurag, he cleverly unfolds all the recent real life scandals of Delhi into the plot like DPS MMS, BMW case to move the story ahead. Also the camera work is exceptionally brilliant. Hats off! Anurag is the one who has brought a new dimension in Indian movies, no doubt. Really Inspired! Apart from a slow second half and a hasty climax, the movie looks very fresh and a must see.

Coming back to the RGV interview, RGV was right that no one would want to see the Devdas again. You will have to dare to watch this movie and accept the fact that Love has its own equations which is equated by LUST and JEALOUS rather CARE and TRUST.

My Rating : 4/5