We might even call it a musical (18 soundtracks!!) which skirts the misery of young harrowing love-struck protagonist in squalid circumstances. Music interweaves the fragmented tales of the three main characters — Dev, Chanda and Paro. It blends the suffering from withdrawal symptoms and the ecstasy that Dev derives out of drugs. If you think I am giving away the tale, perhaps not; perhaps we all know the tale. But, it is the sheer masterpiece of its portrayal that strikes a chord.
After Oye lucky, lucky oye, here again, we see ‘Delhi’ not the usual-stereotype shots of India Gate. We see our very own Delhi University, Model Town and dingy streets of Pahar Ganj. It is for real. It exists. The entire cinematic experience is magnanimous, wholesome and gripping. Anurag Kashyap plays with the dark and the light. A very important tool used in the movie is ‘media’. We have seen it before but this time he is not trying to be critical. He intentionally uses it to keep the plot afloat.
One of my friends said, the message is clear you hate Dev but, love Abhay. He does it again, he is into the character, detestable and yet the contemprary tragic hero. Our anti-hero is lucid throughout, blinded by his own idea of what he calls ‘love’. His tragic flaw, hamartia is his pride, too big for himself. The recognition comes in the end but after the downfall.
Kalki Koechlin as Chandramukhi is not that great. She represents the predicament of a girl who survives in this claustrophic world of hypocrites. Mahi Gill as Paro is perfect as the believable, bold, audacious, Punjabi woman in love. Chunni the pimp, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, is real delight alongside the analogy drawn from Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s character.
The dialogues are lewd, explicit, vile, immodest, uncensored, in your face, in one word — extreme. In many ways it keeps the outspokenness or ‘Punjabiyat’ alive. Indian audiences, including a section of our young brigade, might find the visual experience way too explicit. But, it is all well thought. The director does not want to win points for preaching- be a celibate, drugs are bad, girls should not be shy (Cigarette packets are there for statutory warnings). He is not being moral. Period
For those who want to thrust their morality and want to judge things as black and white, Chanda gives the right message — don’t use other’s morality as a looking glass mirror for your own. The smooth flow of the movie and the innovative screenplay are certainly refreshing. Another new age cinema, a welcome emotional atyachar. Worth your money!
Photo Courtesy: Karma Takapa
I didnt like Devdas for its self-destructive and gloomy portrayal whr u know abt the ‘dead’ end from beginning. Somehow I cant relate to tragic stories (thats an irony for sure) and thats why I wasnt that upbeat abt Dev D. But I loved Dev D for there was difference in portrayal though the basic premise of the celebrated novel was kept the same. I loved Dev D becuase it doesnt foresee a gloomy future, though the tragic hero is as self destructive as the original. Throughout the film, there is hope and ends with a pleasant surprise.
and it is very well reviewed. I took a course in film appreciation few years back. Now i wonder how much classroom can teach u abt cinema because it seems people who havent taken the course have much better understanding of cinema.
Abhay Deol emerged as a sure star…no doubtz 4r dat. movie needed sme more editing, but was killer in parts.
Not 4r sharukh, but after dis devdas version, anyone can fall 4r abhay deol….dev was nt dat bad…u c..!!
comin out of typicalz of our industry…hail anurag.
Kashyap has broken all stereotypes with this one. When I saw the movie, I went well prepared to see something diferent. But this one even exceeded my prepration. The movie is great. Shot excellently and directed superbly.
Abhay Deol is certainly excellent. I liked the psychedelic twists and the unconventional music…Then it reminds every Delhite of the realities of the place we so easily associate with GK, CP and North Campus.
I loved your write up as well…Was planning to write myself on the movie. Dont think I will need to now:)And I love your “punjabiyat” points..You know why..hehehe
darling! we’ve had our mutual admiration lcub meeting yesterday, so i’ll do some value-addition to content. 🙂
an editorial in today’s ET says the following: “You can break into an impromptu jig in a flyblown Paharganj bar, you can start crooning inanely in an elaborate eatery in Paris and, of course, you can witness a cornucopia of colours when everything in your life seems meaningless and colourless. This is Bollywood. Rootlessness is a human condition with existential angst; in Bollywood, whose farcical frames are nothing but rootless, the condition becomes just robotic and mechanical…In freakish Bollywood, it’s reduced to a freaked-out thought, the nausea and the panic buried in the decibels emanating from the cacophony of that … post-modern Bollywood Punjabi…” !!!
I certainly don’t agree with this..do you?
Your site has won a Blog of the Day Award (BOTDA)
Your award will go live sometime on Mon, February 16, 2009
Award Code
Thank you,
Bill Austin
Hey
Haven’t seen Dev-D yet. I am dying to watch it though. I liked SRK’s Devdas. I’m sure I’m going to enjoy watching this one.
Nice blog 🙂
i still havent seen dev d ,bt surely i loved the way abhay acted in “lucky oye”, tht was fantastic,an he luks really smart doing these natural kinda roles an after reading abt it,i would surely watch the movie.
Rids dear, i absogoddammitly loved this movie. By far in my top 5 all time hindi cinemas. It was an example of directorial excellence, wonderful casting and acting. The boldness with which this movie has been shot leaves others far far behind. My best scene in the movie: when Dev is with Chanda the first time and she goes on and on and he ultimately says “F*** u” so nonchalantly. Loved the way Anurag Kashyap was able to so precisely capture the perfect tone in which my fav two english words are said.
@Iti : thank you
@Nidhi I certainly don’t agree.. :)Great minds think alike