Director Bimal Roy shot his black-and-white version of Devdas in a fascinating light-and-shade depiction underlining the stark emotional shifts in the lives of his flawed but achingly human characters.Rich with imagery and desperation, this cinematic jewel is also prized thanks to Dilip Kumar's understated performance, as the drunken protagonist, and some poignant acting by its heroines, Vyjayanthimala Bali and Suchitra Sen.Roy was cinematographer of the earlier, immensely popular Devdas ('35) starring K L Saigal and directed by P C Barua. After Roy established himself as a director post Do Bigha Zameen (1953), he returned to the subject, this time as a director giving his own interpretation to noted litterateur Saratchandra Chatterji's eternal novel.It does seem to be a story that pulls filmmakers towards it repeatedly --- the latest being Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is currently making his own version starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai and Jackie Shroff.A tale that explores some of the outer limits of human experience, from emotions like self-destruction and defiance of society to contempt --- "Ghinn aa rahi hai [I am disgusted]," says Devdas about the sympathetic prostitute Chandramukhi.Devdas (Dilip Kumar) and Paro (Suchitra Sen) are childhood friends who share a volatile relationship. Each is highly egoistic. When Devdas grows up, it is proposed that he marry Paro. But his father turns down the proposal.In one of Hindi cinema's seminal scenes, Paro comes to his house in the middle of the night, suggesting they elope. Devdas, who cannot gather his scattered wits, turns her down. Fate does not give Devdas another chance to undo this dithery decision. An unforgiving Paro rebuffs his overtures and an angry Devdas hits her with a stick, only to then tear a bandage from his own clothes. He is her problem, he is her medicine, too.The resulting scar because of his wound becomes the only tangible motif of their love.Paro gets married to another and Devdas flees to Kolkata. His friend Chunibabu takes him to the kotha [brothel] where he meets Chandramukhi (Vyjayanthimala). Chandramukhi is touched by the fact that he gives money without wanting anything in return. She falls in love with him.But Devdas, even as he unwittingly uses her as an emotional crutch, is unsparing in his rejection of her. "Haath mat lagao, Chandramukhi [Don't touch me, Chandramukhi]," he lashes out when she tries to help him. "Ab bhi kuch hosh baaki hai [I still have my wits around me]."
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