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Dev.D

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Dev.D
Dev.D promotional poster
Directed byAnurag Kashyap
Written byAnurag Kashyap, Vikram Motwane
Produced byUTV Spotboy, Bindaas
StarringAbhay Deol
Kalki Koechlin
Mahi Gill
Dibyendu Bhattacharya
Music byAmit Trivedi
Distributed byUTV Motion Pictures
UTV Spot Boy
Release date
February 6, 2009 (2009-02-06)
Running time
172 min
Country India
LanguageHindi

Dev.D is an Indian Hindi language romantic drama film released on February 6, 2009.[1] Written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is a modern day take on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic novel Devdas.[2][3]

Production

The film was conceived by Abhay Deol, and then worked upon by Kashyap and its producer is Ronnie Screwvala.

Development

Anurag Kashyap did not want to do another remake of any the 9 previous films versions titled Devdas.[4][5] His version was created as a modern take on the 1917 original classic novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[5] Kashyap decided he wanted to make his own version of Devdas to reflect the original novel but through 2008 mores, with the lead character of Devdas as a debauching, hypocritical sensualist, who is self destructive without knowing he is destroying himself.[6][5] Talking about the story and his role as Dev, Abhay Deol told Radio Sargam, "The story is very much from the book which I've read in English. I have played the character according to my interpretation of the book. His character was contemporary, he was quite urban in many ways, he's misplaced in the surrounding and has a spoilt, obsessive and addictive personality."[7]

Initial delays

After the box office disaster of Kashyap's No Smoking, it was rumoured that United Television (UTV) had backed out of the director's next project, Dev.D, starring Abhay Deol. But according to sources, UTV had signed Abhay for three projects and the actor had blocked dates from November 2007 to March 2008 for Kashyap's film, as the idea was to wrap up the film in one schedule. When the film hit initial snags and was stalled, it was rumoured that UTV had backed out.[8] At that time, the director denied that UTV had backed out. He explained the delay by saying that he would be able to work on the film once work on the earlier film Hanuman Returns had finished. He said that he was still looking out for his Chandramukhi, and so far had locked in Abhay and newcomer Mahi Gill.[9]

Plot

Dev (Abhay Deol) is the son of a rich Punjabi Businessman. He and Paro (Mahi Gill) are childhood sweethearts. However, Dev shuns Paro after he hears rumours of her alleged affairs with other men. Dev goes to Delhi while Paro is married off to a rich widower. In Delhi, Devdas meets the prostitute Chanda (Kalki) but despite an apparent emotional connection, remorse drives him to excesses.

Critical reception

Dev.D received mainly positive reviews. Times News Network termed the film as a "brilliant breakthrough for Bollywood" and rated it 5/5. [10]. Shubhra Gupta of Indian Express, praising the performance of Abhay Deol and the movie overall. [11]Hindustan Times,praised the film for it's "slick style and adventurous interpretation that pushes the boundaries of Hindi cinema" and rating it as 3.5/5.[12] Noyon Jyoti Parasara of AOL India,lauded director Anurag Kashyap saying, "go and watch Dev D and be blown away by a sample of what Anurag Kashyap as a director is capable of." and rating it as 3.5/5.[13] A notable negative review was by Taran Adarsh, who criticized the inconsistent writing.[14]

Music

Dev.D boasts 18 tracks by artist Amit Trivedi, who says it "would be the ‘Baap of different genres’ with each track sounding distinctively from the other." He specifically reports that there are two special Punjabi tracks, one which is raw Punjabi and the other with a street band baaja flavor to it. He also reports a romantic Rajasthani folk track, apart from a hard rock song, world music, an Awadhi number and a song with 1970’s-80’s pop touch to it.[15][16] The soundtrack received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critic Joginder Tuteja said, "Chuck the very thought around whether this album will do well commercially or not; it is an exemplary piece of work and that's what that matters most".[17] However, website Radio Sargam states "‘Dev D’ cannot be claimed a brilliant album though most of the songs grow well on the listener. Some disappoint hugely too. But with the huge hype, the sales can boost up from the stands. The song "Emosanal Attyachaar" has become popular amongst the masses and the song's name has become a current catch phrase for most Indian youth. [18]

Cast

References

  1. ^ Passionforcinema.com, December 30 2008, Anurag Kashyap comment
  2. ^ Passionforcinema.com, July 9 2007, Anurag Kashyap inteview
  3. ^ Hollywood.com, "Movies from SpotBoy Motion Pictures"
  4. ^ IMDB list of previously made versions]
  5. ^ a b c Passionforcinema.com, July 9 2007, Anurag Kashyap interviw
  6. ^ Masala.com, "Anurag Kashyap is keen on making his adaptation of Devdas as modern as it can get"
  7. ^ RadioSargam.com, "Abhay Deol talks to Radio Sargam about Dev D"
  8. ^ In.movies.yahoo, November 17 2007, "UTV Backs Out Of Dev D?"
  9. ^ Buzz18.com, February 1 2008, "It's official: Ambika-Anurag split Anurag's film will be now produced by Spotboy, a sister concern of UTV"
  10. ^ Movie Review: Dev D-India Buzz-Entertainment-The Times of India
  11. ^ Movie Review: Dev D
  12. ^ [1]
  13. ^ [2]
  14. ^ Dev D : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh
  15. ^ Radioandmusic.com, September 5 2008, "Amit Trivedi to compose for UTV Spot Boy's next two films"
  16. ^ Rediff.com, July 21 2008, "Making music, from Aamir to Dev D"
  17. ^ BollywoodHungama.com, January 7 2009, "BollywoodHungama Music Review for Dev D"
  18. ^ RadioSargam.com, January 24 2009, "Radio Sargam Music Review for Dev D"
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