Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s iconic film Devdas clocked 19 years today. The film was based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Bengali novel of the same name that elucidated the love triangle between childhood sweethearts Devdas and Paro and of the courtesan Chandramukhi. Devdas starred Shah Rukh Khan in the titular role with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Paro and Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi. Jackie Shroff played the character of Chunni Lal in the film. Kirron Kher starred as Aishwarya’s mom in the film.
As the film completed 19 years, Madhuri, SRK, Jackie and Bhansali took to Instagram to share throwback pictures from the film sets and share trivia about the film as they took a trip down memory lane. They also paid tributes to legendary actor Dilip Kumar who played Devdas in Bimal Roy’s 1952 film and made the character his own.
Madhuri wrote, “Reminiscing some great and happy memories from the sets of Devdas. Even 19 years later it all feels so fresh! Thank you Sanjay for sharing these. Will Cherish these forever! Here’s our ode to #DilipKumar, just like #Devdas, you will continue to live on… forever! #19YearsOfDevdas.”
SRK also took to social media to share a heartfelt note and credited his leading ladies and Bhansali for the film. He wrote, “All the late nights….the early mornings…. hard pace & problems. Worked out fine because of the gorgeous @madhuridixitnene . The stunning @aishwaryaraibachchan_arb , ever cheerful @apnabhidu dada, full of life @kirronkhermp and the whole team slogging it under the masterful and patient #sanjayleelabhansali. Only issue….the dhoti kept falling off….!! Thx for the love everyone. #19YearsOfDevdas.”
Jackie wrote, “Aaj sirf ‘Y’ se yaad hi nahin, ‘Y’ se yakin bhi nahi ho raha 19 saal hogaye Devdas ko! Shukriya all the bondhu's who were part of the Saga ! #Devdas.”
Devdas premiered at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2002 and was released worldwide on 12 July that year. It was the most expensive Indian film ever made at the time, with a budget of Rs 50 crores.
(Source: Instagram)
