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By Joginder Tuteja, April 2, 2009 - 12:46 IST
MOVIE DETAILS
Cast: Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, Kalki
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Music: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya, Shruti Pathak, Shellee, Mani
THE FILM
After making Dev D, Anurag Kashyap, the non-conformist, has ensured one thing at least - for next few years at the least, no filmmaker would ever think of remaking Devdas in a manner similar to that of the Shah Rukh Khan or Dilip Kumar starrer. While their versions of Devdas were closer to the literature when it comes to adaptation, Anurag Kashyap took an altogether tangential route with his version of the film. He made his characters look and behave entirely different from the stereotypical characters of Devdas, Chandramukhi and Paro while totally changing the climax. With his own take on Devdas and terming him as Dev D, Anurag has thrown a challenge to his peers to now aim at outdoing his effort by thinking further out of the box when it comes to remaking Devdas.
If a non-linear narrative was one of the reasons why Anurag Kashyap was literally lynched for No Smoking then watch out for Dev D. He doesn't follow a conventional Bollywood way of story telling even in this film and though he tones down his multi-dimensional approach in Dev D, he still does it all in his own way. Result? A film which became the darling of the young crowds for weeks at stretch, hence turning out to be one of the only three money making films of 2009 so far!
Technically too, the film is a notch above the rest, especially if one looks at the entire production design as well as editing pattern. Each and every visual, especially after Abhay Deol becomes the modern day Devdas, has been treated with much care, hence giving audience something new to enjoy and appreciate. The sets are beautifully done with dirt (in the brothel house) never looking any better. Especially watch out for those neon shades and the fluorescent setting of frames!
And how could one talk about Dev D and not remember Amit Trivedi composed 'Emosanal Atyachaar'. The biggest chartbuster hit of the year so far, the number has been playing in pubs, discotheques, marriage processions, paan shops, trucks, highway dhabas and fast moving cars! Need one say anything more about the popularity of the song? Even otherwise, there are in total 18 tracks in the movie, all fitting in so very well as a part of the film's near two hour narrative. Now if only this is Anurag Kashyap's 'musical answer' to Sooraj Barjatya's Hum Aapke Hain Kaun [which again featured more than a dozen odd songs], he is not boasting about it!
Abhay Deol has made sure that after Dev D, he has finally carved an independent market for himself. Just like there are independent directors and producers, Abhay is the only actor in the industry today who is again being a non-conformist but is now (finally) gaining good recognition coming his way. Manorama - Six Feet Under, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye and now Dev D - this guy certainly knows that even without serenading heroines around the trees or bashing 10 goons at a time, he can still find an audience for himself!
As for Mahie, she is a complete natural and it's a pity that she isn't seen as much in the second half of the film as one would have liked. Kalki is someone who could have been the right fit in Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd which pretty much says it all. She is one young woman who knows how to get the right sensuality in place. Also, good acting skills do not harm her cause at all!
After a rocking first hour of the film, things do start getting a little repetitive in the second half with the entire boozing and tripping situations striking you every 10 minutes. One may not mind that much though because Dev's world is still enchanting enough to keep you excited about the proceedings. Yes, it all get a little too heavy for those 15-20 minutes in the latter part of the film but a crackling pre-climax (Abhay being robbed by a cabbie) and the climax more than makes up for it, hence resulting in much more than just a satisfying experience.
PACKAGING
Moser Baer has changed it's packaging off late for most new movies and packages it rather smartly in an attractive paper and plastic case.
DURATION
The film's duration is 135 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES
The film comes with an additional DVD with over two hours of footage around the 'Making of the film'. Various segments are:
- The short making of Dev D
- The story
- The characters
- Styling and look
- Production design and art
- Locations and photography
- Music of the film
- About director
This is one of the most comprehensive 'making' DVD that one has seen for a Bollywood film since Heyy Babyy since there are ton loads of behind the screens footage as well as on-the-sets snippets that keep the viewing experience quite engaging. In fact this a film in itself as one doesn't get bored at all as different segments in the DVD unfold. The 'scenes' have been arranged together well with music of the film adding a certain flavor to them. Also, what is good is that most members from the cast as well as technical crew seem to be quite involved with the film as they talk about the making of Dev D. Moreover, one is spared with the usual 'interview' talks that otherwise dominate such DVDs.
The camera follows the director and his team throughout locations, story sittings, script discussions as well as some ideal moments, hence bringing to fore the true making of a film. Some of the interesting tidbits shared in the DVD revolve around:
- Girls being screen tested for Chanda's role and asked to imitate an orgasm
- Mahie breaking a co-actor's hand, leg and also a door & a hand pump
- Indoor scenes not being shot in actual red light area in Delhi
- Actual inspiration behind the ideation and conceptualization of 'Emosanal Atyachaar'
- Abhay's inquisitive nature on and off the sets
....and many more!
TECHNICAL DETAILS
- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- Subtitles in English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo
PRICE
Rs. 149/=
CONCLUSION
Dev D, as put by one of the leads from the film, is a true family film. It has to be seen by an entire family, albeit by each member separately. Frankly, this is hardly a film that one could see 'along' with ones parents or children. It has ample shocking moments, funny moments, erotic moments, inviting moments, troubling moments and 'now-what-was-that' moment that would keep audience engaged and left guessing about the scene that would follow next.
Go for it!
 
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