This story is from May 30, 2002

Devdas: Raise your glass

Devdas: Raise your glass
Like everybody else in, India, I too am curious about Devdas. Dying to see Sanjay Leela Bhansali''s magnum opus. Dying to weep buckets (when was the last time you cried at the movies?). And, of course, dying to compare the two leading ladies — my personal favourites. And I''m not talking about comparing their respective performances. I''m sure both will definitely be competent and possibly inspired.
I''m talking about comparing their awesome looks. I''ve read the director''s impassioned interviews, followed the controversies, and done “tch tch� over the unfortunate accidents on the sets. Knowing how superstitious film folks the world over are, I''m also praying that the final jinx over this troubled project does not come in the way of its success. But frankly, I''m looking forward to Devdas only to drool over Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai. Never have two such exceptionally beautiful actresses been featured together in one film. It''s a double whammy to beat all double whammies. A little like Elizabeth Taylor and Vivenne Leigh being cast by Cecil B De Mille in a spectacular period film. Two Cleopatras for the price of one. Wow. And wow again. Oh yes there''s Devdas himself. Lucky man. Married to a stunner. Lusting after another stunner. And both stunners panting over him. Let''s call it the ultimate male fantasy...if not Shah Rukh Khan''s very own. Which brings us to the main point: the relevance of Devdas in the twenty-first century. Or more specifically, the relevance of doomed love at a time when love itself can be bought over the same counter that peddles condoms. Will the Rs 50 crore gamble work at the box-office? Will the three superstars regain their lost lustre with fans? Will Bollywood pull back from the brink? We''ll know soon enough. Meanwhile let''s concentrate on the two lovelies who''ve been so meticulously, so obsessively styled, they''re beginning to resemble store mannequins. Or worse, over-the-top models in over-the-top store catalogues. A pity, really. Because Madhuri and Ash are exceptionally seriously, emphatically gorgeous. Did they really need to bury themselves in thirty kilos of zardozi and fifty metres of silk? Did they have to adorn themselves with cartloads of jewellery, elaborate hair pieces and inches of false eyelashes? Perhaps their carefully structured ‘look’ was an essential part of Bhansali''s aesthetic vision. But when I saw the stills, my heart broke. Either, our poor heroines end up being grossly under-dressed (as in, wearing little more than pastel handkerchiefs). Or they''re grossly over-dressed (Rs fifteen lakh per ghagra). Madhuri as Chandramukhi, the eternal enchantress (okay, courtesan), and Aishwarya as the external victim (read: wife), are stepping into roles immortalised by mighty predecessors. Fortunately for the film maker, the present generation of fans is so remarkably ill-informed, nobody knows enough to draw unfair comparisons. Madhuri and Ash, comfortingly enough, share more than a mere profession, in common. Their backgrounds for one, are similar - solidly middle-class. Both girls are proud products of their respective families. Both are highly intelligent, extremely articulate. Both exude class and aloofness. Both conduct themselves with poise and dignity at all times. Both started out as Subhash Ghai''s "Chosen Ones". Both had mothers as hawk-eyed chaperones. Both are clever with money ... not-so-clever with men. Both have navigated turbulent waters with grace and silence. Both avoid controversies and confrontations. Both are essentially private individuals who stick to family and a small circle of friends. Seeing them in one film, whether or not they have scenes together, will be a rare treat. I have watched their lives with interest - and discovered one other significant commonality. Madhuri and Ash come from two, well-knit, influential communities with strong cultural identities. Madhuri is a Marathi-speaking CKP. Ash, a Tullu-speaking Bunt. It is the single most defining aspect of their otherwise unreal lives. It is what keeps them sane, keeps them grounded and keeps them apart from the gaudy excess of the crabs’ world they belong to - Bollywood. If nothing else, Devdas will be worth a dekho, to feast ones eyes on unmatched beauty. Great performances will definitely help. So Ladies and gentlemen, bring out the hankies - the five-kerchief weepie is almost here.
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About the Author
Shobhaa De

Her pen wields insights on entertainment & politics

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