The Indian film Devdas (2002/I) was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. As I've learned, Devdas is an important Indian novel, written (coincidentally) in 1917. The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas, a handsome young man who has returned from law school in England. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan plays Parvati ('Paro') the young woman who has waited for him for ten years. Madhuri Dixit portrays the dancer and courtesan Chandramukhi.Although Devdas and Paro are in love, caste and financial differences cause their families to keep them apart. The movie follows that plot line until the end. Of course, because this is a Bollywood film, there's plenty of dancing along the way. To director Bhansali's credit, the dancing is integrated into the plot, rather than just popping up randomly. And, of course, it's amazing, colorful dancing.The lead actors are capable, seasoned professionals. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit are impossibly beautiful. The costumes and sets have to be seen to be believed. If you like Bollywood movies, you'll love Devdas. I certainly enjoyed the film. However, for truth in reviewing, I have to say that we didn't stay for the full three hours. However, I saw enough of the film to feel comfortable reviewing it.More important than the film itself is what it represents. Believe it or not, a curator's dream became real a few years ago. Rochester's George Eastman Museum acquired over 100 35mm prints of Indian movies. The theater in which they were stored was scheduled to be destroyed, along with all of these treasures. A team from Eastman, assisted by students from UCLA, saved almost all the films during the last hours before destruction. To their surprise, they found a treasure house of movie posters as well. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I hope someone makes a movie about it!We watched this film at Rochester's wonderful Dryden Theatre in the George Eastman Museum. It was shown as part of the series, "Stories of Indian Cinema: Abandoned & Rescued." It's amazing to watch Devdas on a large screen, but it will work well enough on a small screen. If you love Bollywood films, or if you want to sample a Bollywood film, Devdas would be the perfect choice.

The movie is based on a Fiction Bengali story by Sharat Chandra Chatterjee but it can be applied to real life too .Devdas is a upper class guy who lives his life according to his wish much to the chagrin of his practical family and society (In India). He is a rebel not only to his family but to himself. He has a childhood friend Paro which then transforms into a romantic relationship. Paro and Devdas are absolutely in love with each other. But as is true in fiction as in real life, Love is something extremely dangerous. It is risky fraught with dangers to life itself !. But people who are in Love hardly care about this. They live a life moment to moment without thinking about either the past or the future. As is usual someone else gets into the way of Love and as it happens in real life more often than not it is your own family which comes into the way.So Devdas's family is opposed to their union especially his dad. Devdas goes against his family but in that moment of weakness he is not strong enough and loses Paro forever. He realizes his mistake but it is too late. Paro is already prepared for her marriage.Resigned in love, Devdas loses himself. He drinks and drinks only to forget Paro but he cannot. Meanwhile, a courtesan Chandramukhi seeing the pain of Devdas falls in love with him.The story moves on with the tragedy of Devdas's death. As is always the case Love could kill you and it does kill Devdas.There is a saying - Love is a slow suicide and how true it is.

Note: As an American who quite likes, but is not an expert on Indian cinema, I'm the first to admit there may be elements of content or style that I might lack the knowledge to fully appreciate. These are just my personal reactions, take them for what they're worth.Colorful and touching, if occasionally uneven, this story of a Romeo and Juliet like love affair and it's aftermath certainly has it's moments. The performances are strong, it looks great, there's some interesting social commentary about the corrosive effects of class and social status. and there are a few good musical numbers. But the musical element is odd – too much or two little for my taste. One song an hour is just enough to make their sudden appearance a bit jarring, not fully integrated into the style. There's also a tendency to melodrama and overstatement in the plot and even the (quite good) acting, and some important questions about the "whys" behind characters' key decisions in this tale of love and loss are left unexplored. None-the-less, it works well enough to enjoy as spectacle, and heart stuck melodrama to be enjoyable, almost like an old style Hollywood film, if not up to the level of Bhanasali's later, quite brilliant and innovative "Black".

The most lavish Indian movie ever.Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates a visual master piece.Every thing looks stunning.Visuals are simply stunning and breath taking.Personally,i have never seen such a beautiful and a colorful movie like this one.There are colors every where and the sets compliment the color a lot.They are simply stunning.Camera work compliments the film a lot capturing the best shoots.Costumes are simply amazing.Every part is decorated very well.Technically,the movie is amazingActing was excellent.Shah Rukh breathes life into his country and has given a very moving performance as the heart broken and alcholic Devdas.He impresses in the drunk scenes.Aishwarya looks completely stunning and has done an excellent job.Her dance Silsila is a treat to watch.Madhuri too is excellent too in a short role.Her dances Kaahe Cheed Mohe and Maar Daala are a treat to watch.She and Aishs Dola Re is a treat to watch.Kirron Kher is first rate and so is Smita Jaykar.The most weirdest thing i say is,Kirrons dance in Morey Piya is a treat to watch.Jackie Sheroff hams and is passable.Music by Ismail Darbar compliments the film a lot.Direction by Bhansali is never the less excellent.After making the excellent Hum Dil De.He has made another wonderful flick.Go watch it.you will not be disappointed