Special report by Manish Gajjar, BBC Shropshire's Bollywood Specialist
Devdas is an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's brilliant Bengali novel. But it is definitely director Sanjay Leela Bansali's interpretation.
 A sheer piece of magical masterpiece from one of Bollywood's most acclaimed directors, Sanjay Leela Bansali.
 | | Manish Gajjar
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Devdas, the son of Zamindar Mukherjee, lives a happy and wealthy existence in a small village of Taj Sonapur.
Blessed with a happy childhood, mischief with his young playmate, Paro, took precedence over learning. But unknown to them, the seeds of love had already been sown.
This special friendship comes to an abrupt end when Devdas is sent to London for his higher education.
| |  | Paro with the diya in Devdas
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For Paro, her world without Devdas becomes unbearable and pines tearfully for her close friend.
She lights a "diya" which signifies the quick home coming of her loved one. In this she finds solace and comfort.
Some years later, a now more sophisticated and stylish young Devdas returns home. But to his surprise, he could not fail but to notice that his Paro has now blossomed into a beautiful young woman.
Tension soon ensues when Paro's proposal is refused by Zamindar Mukherjee, creating a rift between the two families.
| |  | Chandramukhi in Devdas
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Not wanting this devious shadow to cast a gloom over them, an anguished Paro seeks refuge in the darkness of the night and offers herself to Devdas, the only man she could ever love. Not seeing the immense pain and anguish in her eyes, he fatefully reassures her that he will once again ask for her hand in marriage from his father, Zamindar. Unable to seek the legacy of Paro's love from his domineering father, Devdas writes his final farewell letter to his loved one, asking her to do the impossible - to forget him.
| |  | Paro in Devdas
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It is too late when Devdas was hit by the enormity of his own feelings. He reaches out for his loved one, but a now humiliated Paro ruthlessly scorns Devdas for not having stood by her. Once again they part and go their own different ways. This time the parting paves two painful ways. One sees a heart-broken Paro entering into a chaste marriage with a wealthy, much older man, Zamindar Bhuvan Choudry.
| |  | Lost in world of love in Devdas
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The other sees a completely shattered Devdas walking towards anguish, repentance, alcoholism and the beautiful Chnadramukhi. A stunning courtesan with many admirers, Chandramukhi instantly looses her heart to Devdas who is magnetised by the empathy offered by the undemanding courtesan. Thus a unique bond of love is formed and he is able to share what he dared not share with himself ...
| |  | A married Paro in Devdas
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As for Chandramukhi, she worshipped the man who had the capacity to love like none other for it mattered not that Devdas did not love her! For Paro it was a world empty without Devdas but as a dutiful wife, she performed her worldly duties with great sincerity, winning the hearts of one and all with her generosity and compassion. Life gives both these tragic souls one more time to meet but the separation that was created between them becomes more evident than ever. For Devdas of today looked defeated and dejected.
| |  | Chandramukhi in Devdas
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Paro begs him to leave the alcoholic melancholy he has driven himself into. But how can Devdas forget? For a few drops of alcohol made him forget all. . . . yet he promised himself to meet his beloved Paro one more time before his last breath.
When that day comes, his yearning to see Paro intensifies. He obstinately fights for those final few moments of life so that he could reach Paro's doorstep.
But his last wish remains only a wish. . . .for as the doors of Paro's 'haveli' remain closed; the doors of heaven opens for Devdas.
Thus ends this historical tragic saga of a great man who undergoes a transition from one who could not fully apprehend the meaning of love to one who could understand nothing but love...
Cinema times
Warwick Arts Centre cinema are showing Devdas on the following dates:
Saturday 21 September 3pm
Sunday 22 September 4pm
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