Dev.D

Dev.D, Anurag Kashyap's contemporary take on Sarat Chandra Chatterjee's classic novel Devdas is simply extraordinary. Kashyap's direction is excellent and his interpretation of the original story is a perfect example of how creative and artistic an adaptation of this sort can be. The film is set partly in Punjab and partly in Delhi and captures the atmosphere of both places with precision. Kashyap masterfully portrays the effervescence, colourfulness and rusticity of the rural Punjab areas from one side, and then explores the morbid and dark reality of the urban Delhi. The film is very realistic and aspects which contribute to this include the simple writing, the slick editing and cinematography and the natural acting. It deals with such themes as sexuality, love, drugs, prostitution, self-destruction, and complex relationships. The film's fast-paced narrative style, which includes authentic dialogues, serious proceedings and many many songs (all of which are lovely, modern, and appropriately selected), is very unique and matter-of-fact. Abhay Deol stars as a modern-day Devdas, and he does an excellent job. He shows Dev's confusion, complacence, gradual ruin, and later his self-acceptance and coming to terms, with conviction and depth. Kashyap introduces two young girls in the leading roles. Mahie Gill is the first, and she is first-rate in her debut performance as Paro - very believable and impulsive. Kalki Koechlin is less impressive at first, but grows on you as the story goes by. At some points in the initial portions it looks like she's struggling with her lines, but in the second half, she confidently turns into a charming young lady and ultimately leaves a mark. The film's ending is fantastic and unexpected. To sum it up, Dev.D is Kashyap's gem. It is a prime quintessence of Hindi cinema's capability and coming-of-age. I recommend you to watch it.

Let me helm AK as the new czar of motion picture extravaganza ...

With a conforming applaud to the concept visualization by Abhay Deol himself , AK and co-writer Vikramaditya Motwane concoct a tale foretold adding the backdrop and zing of contemporary Ludhiana , Delhi !

The beauty of narrative is that it doesn't speak in dialogs but rather gratifies on the senses of the viewer . The editing is brisk and is noteworthy of its nuances to help add the necessary twists in the plot.Fresh music with loads of it helps to contemplate the emotions of the protagonist.

It isn't banal or prudish ..the dialogs are witty and minimalist !

For those who have watched the archaic DevDas , it's overwhelming to match "loosely based original characters " to our new era real life DevD( trying to empower his childhood love or trying to understand what love really is ), Paro ( Very Indian but yet liberating and sexually charged and also at par with the ultimate Indian "aadarsh" Bahu agnostics ) , Chandramukhi ( A thumbs up to the Sex industry which preaches what the whole world tries to echo in darkness and unlike the world which then raises fingers of indignation and loathe - CMon India did preach Kamasutra long back )not to forget Chunni( an amiable friend but a pimp of the sorts ).

The ensemble has done a worthy job . Newcomer : Mahie Gill easily transitions from a vulnerable lover girl to a mature responsible lady , Kalki Koechlin epitomizes the naiveness of a teenage girl whose social stigmata con-volutes her essence of life into an awry ordeal which she readily accepts and moralizes as a state of "Trying to move on .." And Abhay ( I read him being at someplace learning Wood Carving during the release of this movie ) - ( is purely a treat to watch ..the way he triumphs in being a sole loser who worships Vodka and doesn't chastise himself rather acclimatizes himself to the corner of the world called "SELF" -- the virility shown by his hairy bod -- a pungent antonym to chest waxed embellishments -- 10 kg's lost for this role -- shows the kind of efforts put on screen )

All of this with a maverick Director's surreal vision ( trademarks being his liking for water and snow .. he uses them as props and landscaper's to unearth the beauty of the far .. No Smoking had loads of it) is a cinematic milestone in itself ...

If your above 18 then go with a heart of redemption, lust , despair striving to the ultimate nemesis with oneself --- you shall be a winner !!!

This movie is 'not' a remake of Devdas. Probably, Anurag Kashyap wanted to borrow the base story from there, but I repeat if you are a big fan of Devdas then this movie isn't for you. But then again this is one of the most insane movies to come out of Bollywood. You might probably end up with a headache after watching it, but its completely worth it. There are few movies with such exceptional cinematography and music which blends completely with the movie.

The characters are well defined, but also over the top. Abhay puts in a real perfect act of a self-sympathetic fool, who drinks and does drugs just in the obsession of Paro. He becomes completely lost and finally ends up in the arms of Chanda. Paro has apparently never known the words 'shy' nor 'blush'. Chanda has seen a lot of pain and is the only character who slowly becomes sure of herself.

This movie is more about how they have painted the characters rather than the characters themselves. This is a first in Bollywood and I have never heard such dark, yet at times beautiful music. Its loud at times, but Amit Trivedi's work is a sheer genius one. If you do end up liking the movie, you would give half the credit to the music.

Anurag and the entire team have poured in their heart for this movie. Most of the work and the ideas are genuine and is not picked up from some other random movie. It is an 'its own movie'.

I've been waiting for this movie since the past 2 months. I had gone to see another movie around 2 months back and there was a poster of Dev. D. It starred Abhay Deol. From that moment, I knew this movie is gonna be one of a kind. It takes place in the modern era. The instances shown in the movie are very life-like. The story deals with a loser ( Abhay Deol ) and how he deals with his life. Its like a modern rip-off from Devdas.

Everything about this movie is top notch. Right from the direction to the sets, its stunning. The screenplay is impeccable & the cinematography couldn't get better. The visuals are delightful. The music score is exceptional. Even though it is a slow movie, the pace seems very fast. The editing also is so well done. The dialogues are perfect, used in a really vulgar tone. The story is set in & around Delhi. The locations shown are ideal.

I really don't remember the last time I had seen such a good bollywood movie. But this flick is not one that will please all audiences. Only connoisseurs of movies will respect & admire this class act. Hats off to Anurag Kashyap. Legend.

There are very few movies that make you wait for their day of release just like a torn lover waits for its lost love for that one last glance and Dev.D was certainly one of them. I just knew I had to watch it the moment I saw breathtaking visuals(The snorricam shots inspired from classics like Requiem for a Dream, Trainspotting) in the trailer itself. The fact that the movie was directed by Mr. Maverick (of new age Indian cinema) got me even more excited. So now when I have seen the movie I am ecstatic because I got more than what I expected.

This movie is all about your sense of perception of art. If you find charm in innovative screenplay, extraordinary photography, symbolic scenes and realistic acting you got to love this cinematic masterpiece and if you have a thing for colors, its an icing on the cake! But if you want to see an entertainer which is going to generate temporary emotions, unfortunately, its not for you. All those who find the story unrealistic must understand it is not the portrayal of what happens in love but the most beautiful depiction of what is going through one's mind when one gets/doesn't get love. So, either you will crave for the movie to go on till forever or wait for it to end.

Of course, the story line is based on the original Devdas but this contemporary version has its own twists and turns and you better not expect the expected. Abhay Deol is absolutely fantastic.There is not a single scene where one can doubt the authenticity of the character he is playing. Both the new actresses are equally good. Mahie Gill deserves all the applause for doing many a tough scenes with calming ease and expression that can light a fire. Kalki's eyes never lose the innocence in the truest sense thanks to the beautiful portrayal even though her character transcends into one of the highest zones of maturity.

I just fell in love with the movie and wanted to see more of the unpredictable series of events through extraordinary musical narration.The only thing which I missed in Dev.D was a bit of soul but that is exactly how it was meant to be.