Dev D (2009)

The depiction of a modern day Devdas could not have been done any better then what Anurag Kashyap managed in Dev D through Abhay Deol. The deciphering of the movie in totality, cant really be ascertained in a single viewing. Subtle nuances keep coming up with every viewing, that is very unlike any regular Hindi potboiler but very much like the work of Martin Scorsesse, Coppola and Stanley Kubrick, the directors who have influenced Kashyap a great deal. Few are able to disencumber the wannabe tag of wanting to create something like the illustrious directors, but Anurag crosses this great divide with Dev D. He is truly the best voice in Indian cinema today because he makes a movie for himself first and foremost, (like the other great directors mentioned) and makes it with all his heart and soul. The result of his dedication can be seen in Dev D which is a flawless flick with bluntness that will raise eyebrows in the western world, what to talk of Indian sensibility? Everything is just that perfect in Dev D.

Cinematography is delightful & vividly colorful. Delhi has never looked better, looks even better then in Mouna Ragam of Mani Ratnam. Abhay Deol pulls off a remarkable character with consummate ease. The depth and the recklessness and the pain and the disarming smile is very reminiscent of the great performance of Robert De Niro in Raging Bull. Is there is any better young method actor in India, then Abhay Deol? Plain simple, No! In a career spanning just a few films he has shown a repertoire that few actors don't achieve in a lifetime. Kudos, Abhay. Mahi Gill is very competent as a village belle and Kalki Koechlin-just superb. Drugs long seen a taboo in the Indian society, though it remains a rampant problem is dealt with great finesse and audacity in Dev D. People may point this as patronizing drugs but that is not it. He wants to talk about an important social issue and he pulls it off with aplomb. It gives a feeling of hate drugs very reminiscent of Trainspotting, and that is not patronizing but presenting a very important social problem with a difference. The remaining cast is solid and helps in the overall movie compactness. Music by Amit Trivedi is very different from the repetitive bollywood music that we keep churning out. It is fresh and strikingly different from anything that we have heard in Hindi cinema. That this movie is a hit should bolster Anurag's confidence. India, is finally ready for his kind of Cinema as he keeps on saying.

Fmovies: Dev D is a modern-day interpretation of the classic novel "Devdas" by Sarat Chandra. Dev (Abhay Deol), Paro (Mahi Gill) and Chanda (Kalki Koechlin) 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. Now we have come through various versions of the novel "Devdas", but "Dev. D" is way different than all the others. It's not actually the remake of Devdas, yet it can be said as it has been just inspired by it. There are minor similarities yet the characters are similar in a way. The new Devdas likes to have his vodka with Coke, asks Paro for some nude pictures of herself, chats with Paro through IM, likes to have sex, smokes even during pissing after waking up in the morning & does other various stuffs according to the current trend of Indian Youth. There are so many reasons why "Dev. D" strikes hard on it's viewers. It's a coming of an age cinema of Bollywood. Bollywood never did witnessed any stuff like Dev. D ever before. The soul of the movie lies within it's characters, specially "Dev.D" along with Paro, Chanda & Chunni. The movie also depicts Delhi in a superior way. Anurag Kashyap always trying to do something new & creative with each of his movies. First it was Black Friday, which portrayed some stunning reality behind the blasts in Mumbai in the year 1993, which also made it highly controversial & then it was "No Smoking", which was an attempt of a cult movie, though it failed to express the real message behind the movie. Anurag Kashyap this time does it in a Tarantino style. A love story in a Tarantino way. Now that's something really innovative! He gives an extra-ordinary direction, with keeping in mind to entertain the viewers. The humor of the movie with it's witty one liners keeps the viewers hooked during the first half. Though the second half looses it's momentum a bit, the movie still strikes in a powerful way. Now if we talk about the performances, Abhay Deol is one of the most talented actors in Bollywood. Not only he performs well, but what he did in this movie is called "Class Act". Top class act by Abhay. Also the performances by the two of the new-comers is refreshing & amazing. Adding to all the factors above is the music or the score of the movie. That's something different yet again for Bollywood. The track "Emotional Atyachar" is already famous. But the best tracks of the movie are "Ek Hulchul Si" & "Emotional Atyachar (Rock Version)". It would simply blow the mind of the lovers of rock music. Excellent songs & score by Amit Trivedi. The unusual cinematography of the movie gives the movie a different look, yet a dark look. Dev.D is a fantastic movie to be made in Bollywood history. A never before experienced love story with sex, drugs, drinks & lot many stuffs. A classic love story with fantastic performance by Abhay Deol.

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 !!!

Dev D fmovies. Well this was one of the most awaited movies for people who like different kind of cinema.Dev d a story about modern Devdas is a good adaption from the previous versions.The movie setup up in north of India brings up something new and unique as a build up to the character.The story is how a boy destroys his life for his childhood love.

The darkness of the movie can be seen after he loses the girl and takes a road to utter disdain and destruction of his life.Dev meets Chanda a prostitute who also falls for his charm.Her story is completely different and well put up.The performance by all the actors is laudable and up to the mark.The camera-work and and direction is excellent and audiences will notice that after they watch the movie.The director makes a very good attempt to create a more dark ambiance once the Dev loses his love.

The background score of the movie is good considering the dark ambiance.Drinks,smoke,drugs you will see all this in abundance as it leads to destruction of his life.

This is not a movie for people who cant take dark films as it just leaves u a bit sapped after you watch it.

Go for Dev D if you want something different from commercial cinema.I would rate the movie a 8/10 and say go for it.

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.

Well I had been waiting for over two months for this film to release. And It has been worth the wait. Anurag Kashyap's Dev.D is a contemporary take on the immortal Devdas, whose boldness will dazzle you, to say the least. The direction and screenplay, as expected, are top-notch. The music is terrific, and has been used creatively to take the story forward. The performances are excellent too, with Abhay Deol delivering a brave, powerful performance that won't be easy to forget. Mahie Gill and Kalki are very impressive too. Watch this movie also for some gems- Paro going in the fields to get laid with Dev with mattresses tied to her bicycle and Chanda and Dev in the sauna-there are many more I promise. AK has successfully ironed out the flaws in the original Devdas, and that's what makes this dark film also a feel-good film at times. AK has handled sexuality and some real-life incidents (MMS scandal, BMW hit- and-run case) in a very mature manner, without being sensationalist. Don't miss it for anything. Watch it for its sheer audacity.

"I give a 10/10 and two thumbs up for AK's newest piece of art."