Does this question arise in your mind, ever? I am sure someone who has watched Dev D, might have asked this question to themselves, at least once. Its been two days since I watched this new movie, a latest adaptation of Devdas, a novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Though many movies have been made on this novel, but Dev D by far the most contemporary and radical adaptation of the novel.
Its a two and a half hour movie, but seems like a hell long… doesn’t mean its boring… but there is lots happening and it keep happening. At times it appears it is going too slow, then it gets too fast that you feel you are in a rollercoaster. This might also be more from the fact that there is insane camera work, especially when they show Dev (Abhay Deol) drinking and getting high. The direction is outstanding, so is editing, and so are performances from all. The characters appear so real that you connect with them. So are the situations and the behaviors. I am sure you will see parts of you in it or at least remember some one you would have known or met. Another thing that I really liked in the movie was the coolness of Dev… he is the real example of what the term cool means when defining someone's attitude, though alls not positive about it. Dev’s character highlights both pros and cons of a cool dude. So, if you think you are cool… when you see this movie you might realize you aren’t close to it, and if you are really cool… then learn a few things that you should avoid when under the influence of your coolness. However, if you aren’t cool, don’t bother, it is difficult to become cool… its an attitude that is in you or not.
Since I planned to go for the movie Sunday noon, I ensured I do not come across any review of the movie, and it helped me. I went with a blank mind and was punched hard with every twist in the story. The first pleasant surprise was that the movie is set in Punjab. Dev is a punjabi jat and Paro (Mahi Gill) is a punjabi jatti… a fiery combination. If you do not have a clue what punjabi jats are, watch this movie. You will get a glimpse of their way of life and thinking. They are the real examples of angry young men and women. Can rip you apart in a moment with a gandasa or blow your brains out with a do-naali. Or if you are their pal, you will be treated like royalty. Hey another big surprise for me was that I personally know the lady who plays the role of Paro’s mom in the movie. She is my cousin aunt (Roopa Sood), sister of my badi mami. I felt really proud, though she has a very small role. I wanted to scream aloud and tell all in the theatre that I know her, however, sense prevailed and I kept my calm.
Anyways, coming back to the movie, the way Paro shows her horny ‘taking control’ side with Dev, and her fiery side when chasing and beating the heck out of the other cheapster guy, is an example of a true punjabi jatti. You can’t but appreciate the love that she has for Dev. She doesn’t mind sending her nude picture to him or getting a whole bloody mattress to a field to get herself fucked by Dev, as that’s what he has always wanted. And then there is Dev, who also loves Paro, but doesn’t mind being a slut and exploring other opportunities that just wonder around him all the time [take a moment and think, does this ring a bell… aren’t you like him…]. And in these distractions and based on a few other happening around, he gets so disillusioned that he screws up his relationship with Paro. Then, the turn of events so happen that Paro gets married to another guy and Dev is not able to handle this easily, getting deeper and deeper into the bottle of vodka and other interesting intoxicants.
A parallel story that runs in the movie is about an mixed breed gori looking girl, Leni (Kalki Koechlin) and how one of her adventures with a boyfriend are captured in an MMS, making her the talk of the town. She goes through her churn and Leni becomes Chandramukhi a.k.a. Chanda, a high end randi, which is what she calls herself, however others are a little more polite and call her an escort, a sex worker, or more precisely a CSW (commercial sex worker). It is different to see how the movie treats this character. Though Chanda earns money by sleeping with someone or the other every day, there is a sense of respect associated with what she is doing. It is not shown as in other movies. She come into this knowingly, and treats it as if this is another profession that someone can take up to get regular flow of income and complete their studies. I am sure this situation is close to reality. There might be many such students, who earn money for their studies like this. Personally, I do not think there is anything wrong in it and I like the way the director has portrayed Chanda.
And then there is a time in the story where these two parallel stories cross each other and Dev meets Chanda. Dev, who still loves Paro, so he thinks, and Chanda, who starts liking Dev, come closer with passing time. However, Dev is a real slut, maybe not in the real sense, but in the sense that he still wants Paro, who can’t be his and then there is Chanda in front of her, who he doesn’t seems to be interested from a long term relationship point of view. Anyways, he does realize that towards the end. During this journey, there is a time when Chanda visits Dev and helps him clean his room and wash his cloths. That was a wonderful moment in the movie. It just showed that there is love and admiration between Paro and Dev, even if Paro is married and Dev still has not clue what he is doing with his life. The way she just comes, does things, and goes shows what true friendship and selfless love is all about. That’s my take on it.
Overall, an amazing movie… there moments where you might experience a high…. really, this movie take you to a high that you think your brains might just blast out of your skull. It appears too long at times… I couldn’t believe at the end of the movie that it was just two and a half hour long… I thought it was going on forever… however, this doesn’t take from the fact that every frame is worth watching. It keeps the excitement going, baring a few moments. You can’t guess what is the next thing that is gonna happen. There are so many one liners in the movie, that you want to take out a notepad and jot them down. For example, there is a time when Chanda is providing support to Dev and says…. when in pain, talk…. I think that is a powerful thought, isn’t it. Anyways, do watch the movie and try to enjoy!
