Adaptations of literary works is a rarely ventured territory in Hindi cinema. Going a step further then, as Anurag Kashyap tries to adapt Saratchandra's Bengali classic and place it in the contemporary times, it is no less than a radical step for Hindi film industry. Kashyap's last film, 'No Smoking', was too complex for a regular cine-goer and it suffered as a result. This time around, in 'Dev. D', he has mellowed down in his style and treatment. The outcome, therefore is easy on the mind.
The story begins in the green landscapes of Punjab. Dev is the son of a rich businessman. Paro is his childhood friend. Unable to control Dev's notoriety, his father sends him to London for schooling. The childhood friendship of Dev and Paro blossoms into an adult, long-distance romance. Dev returns and wants to marry Paro but refuses when is blinded by the rumors of a local claiming Paro to be promiscuous. Paro marries a rich widower from Delhi. This sets off Dev on the road of drinking and self-destruction. On this road, he meets Chanda, a prostitute. In Kashyap's 'Dev.D' she also has a scarred history which include a scandalous MMS and father's suicide. Kashyap's Devdas takes a different route thereafter from the book that it is based on.
The first hour of the film is very rustic and rural in its look and feel. Paro (Mahie Gill) is raw, sharp and irresistible. It is easy to see why Dev (Abhay Deol) is floored by her. Some dialogs and situations are probably a bit bold for the Hindi audiences, almost bordering on the lewd, but that is Paro for you - all open for her Dev. It is only obvious then that she reacts with speed and vengeance, without giving Dev any time, when he breaks her heart. We are then introduced to the school girl Lenny (Kalki Koechlin) and witness her transformation to Chanda. All three characters converge in Delhi to set up the second half of the film.
Abhay Deol gets into the skin of Dev. He does not try to add any new dimension to his character but very naturally and effectively brings out the wasted Dev. Mahie Gill is fiery and probably lives out Paro as Kashyap would have wanted. Kalki is very convincing as her character traverses time and emotions.
The Devdas in Saratchandra's novel is a spineless character who cannot stand up to anybody. Kashyap's Dev is a little different. He decides and sticks to it but is weighed down by the consequences of his decisions, unable to bear the outcome. The climax establishes that he is by no way spineless. Kashyap goes to extremes to establish his characters. Dev upgrades to narcotics from alcohol. Paro is bursting with sexual energy, eager to consummate her love for Dev. Chanda is educated, multi-lingual and a realist, unlike the romantic in the book.
Anurag Kashyap's style is what I'd call collage film making. There are so many patches stitched together, it is difficult to carry an image outside the theater with you. All the energy of visuals and the bursts of music thrill you while you watch the film, but like a sparkler only for its lifetime. A very different film and worth your time and money.
The story begins in the green landscapes of Punjab. Dev is the son of a rich businessman. Paro is his childhood friend. Unable to control Dev's notoriety, his father sends him to London for schooling. The childhood friendship of Dev and Paro blossoms into an adult, long-distance romance. Dev returns and wants to marry Paro but refuses when is blinded by the rumors of a local claiming Paro to be promiscuous. Paro marries a rich widower from Delhi. This sets off Dev on the road of drinking and self-destruction. On this road, he meets Chanda, a prostitute. In Kashyap's 'Dev.D' she also has a scarred history which include a scandalous MMS and father's suicide. Kashyap's Devdas takes a different route thereafter from the book that it is based on.
The first hour of the film is very rustic and rural in its look and feel. Paro (Mahie Gill) is raw, sharp and irresistible. It is easy to see why Dev (Abhay Deol) is floored by her. Some dialogs and situations are probably a bit bold for the Hindi audiences, almost bordering on the lewd, but that is Paro for you - all open for her Dev. It is only obvious then that she reacts with speed and vengeance, without giving Dev any time, when he breaks her heart. We are then introduced to the school girl Lenny (Kalki Koechlin) and witness her transformation to Chanda. All three characters converge in Delhi to set up the second half of the film.
Abhay Deol gets into the skin of Dev. He does not try to add any new dimension to his character but very naturally and effectively brings out the wasted Dev. Mahie Gill is fiery and probably lives out Paro as Kashyap would have wanted. Kalki is very convincing as her character traverses time and emotions.
The Devdas in Saratchandra's novel is a spineless character who cannot stand up to anybody. Kashyap's Dev is a little different. He decides and sticks to it but is weighed down by the consequences of his decisions, unable to bear the outcome. The climax establishes that he is by no way spineless. Kashyap goes to extremes to establish his characters. Dev upgrades to narcotics from alcohol. Paro is bursting with sexual energy, eager to consummate her love for Dev. Chanda is educated, multi-lingual and a realist, unlike the romantic in the book.
Anurag Kashyap's style is what I'd call collage film making. There are so many patches stitched together, it is difficult to carry an image outside the theater with you. All the energy of visuals and the bursts of music thrill you while you watch the film, but like a sparkler only for its lifetime. A very different film and worth your time and money.