DEV D

Here comes a dissimilar version to yesteryear classics of ‘Devdas’ that were so solemnly delivered the words of Sarath Chandra into picture. Well, in an era of cyber mania and lots of changes happening over, one cannot assure about the same classic hitting on top-of-charts. Yeah! Anurag Kashyap brimmed with such a motif strike a different note based on same lines. Of course, when you’ve Devdas turning into stylish DEV D, there’s whole lot of innovative factors blended with some of real life incidents. Moreover, he has spelled a fantabulous piece by limning the characterizations more potently. Dev, Paro and Chanda; they’ve uniqueness of their own rigidity and that scores good points for Anurag. Alas! Like in much of the recent films, where a perfect script is fumbled with flimsy screenplay DEV D doesn’t happen to be an elision. In fact, its stops the film half way from striking Gold and auteur could’ve perhaps worked the better way (Is it an impact of Anurag’s adamant statement in recent interview ‘I Do What I want to do’?).

The film has been crafted with lots and lots of stylish factors and MMS has a great role over here. Perhaps, you can ennoble DEV D as ‘Urbanized Version of Classical Devdas). Dev D is a modern-day interpretation of the classic novel “Devdas” by Sarat Chandra. Dev, Paro and Chanda of Dev D reflect the sensibilities, conflicts, aggression, and independence. Free thought, exuberance and recklessness of the youth of today. A generation that is jammed between eastern roots and western sensibilities. Dev D is set in the rustic and colorful Punjab and also explores the dingy, morbid, dark underbelly of Delhi. From sprawling mustard fields to a riot of neon….

Fine! Getting on with storyline, there’s nothing much dissimilar from previous versions. Dev (Abhay Deol) and Paro are devilishly in love with each other. Don’t expect to the same classical poignant touch of divine love. Here’s something more loaded with more lecherousness. Eventually, things are topsy-turvy when Paro is urged to marry another person. Now Dev has all his trust on ‘Alcohol’ (Aye! You’ll find lots of promo for Vodka of particular brand) and drugs. When these have nothing to do with him, Dev happens to meet Chanda (Kalki Koechlin), a student who was affected by MMS issue turning into sex-worker.

When you’ve three characterizations of complicated natures, it’s gonna be a much more interesting show when they’re interwoven. Finally, the show is all about the pursuit of real love getting accomplished.

Anurag Kashyap seems to have made this version for international audiences. It’s more illustrious on every vista of narration, adult contents and sleek technical factors. Maybe, DEV sitting at London and glimpsing on pics mailed by Paro in Punjab may go gaga with western audiences as well cosmopolitan cities of India. But a billion dollar question is that would a young lad or missy feel comfortable watching it along with their parents (again Anurag’s statement ‘I Do want I want to do’ is prevalent seems to be prevalent here). Chanda’s characterization of real life incident is a bold attempt. Here and there, we’ve lots of traces inherited from flicks made by avant-garde auteurs.

With things completely gratifying the audiences’ interest over there in first half, the latter part is a bit annoying. Sluggish screenplay with more predictable quotients lets you yawn frequently. On the pars, there are bits and pieces of absurd factors that naturally get diminished if audiences’ aren’t so keen on picking them.

On the performance, Abhay Deol steals the show with a colossal piece of work. His smart looks and matured performances has it all peaking him to score great. Well, couple of actresses has delivered their best doing justice to their role. Anurag could’ve focused a bit more on Koechlin as she has got a solid characterization, but goes middling with her performance.

A prodigious work trenchantly showcased by entire technical crew. Looks like Anurag is vividly influenced by Greg Harrison’s ‘November’ and Pedro Almodover, the world’s best filmmakers using stylish colors on the screen. Doubtlessly, they have been few amongst small group of avant-garde filmmakers who have narration and technical aspects scoring best equally. Kashyap tries making different attempts on technical panoramas of musical score and editing. Possibly, he could’ve made it stunning in screenplay too…

On the whole, DEV D is a good film made with best experimentations by Anurag Kashyap. And even you can watch the film for a try out and come up with commendable applause for entire team though latter half is loaded with tenuous attributes.