Photo credit: www.news18.com
Shah Rukh Khan Reflects on the Legacy of ‘Devdas’ at Locarno Film Festival
Recently, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan captured attention at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, where he received the esteemed Pardo alla Carriera award, celebrating his profound impact on the cinematic world. This accolade is particularly notable as it marks him as the first Indian figure to earn such recognition. During the festival, he announced a significant development: his production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, has acquired the rights to the beloved 2002 film ‘Devdas,’ directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. This announcement came just before a screening of the film, which starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, and Jackie Shroff.
“We as a production company bought the rights of this film back, and I’m very, very proud that it belongs to our company now,” Khan stated, conveying his pride over this acquisition.
In discussing the film’s lasting impact, Shah Rukh reflected on the monumental responsibility of reinterpreting this classic tale of love and heartache. With numerous adaptations already in existence, including a famous rendition featuring Dilip Kumar, the stakes were unusually high for Khan and his team. “By the time I got to see the film, I think they’d made 18 films based on the same novel, or 20, and lots of other plays and songs,” he remarked. Despite the notion that ‘Devdas’ might seem antiquated in the context of shifting cultural norms in India, SRK expressed his commitment to the role. “By the time Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to make this film, I think the general sentiment in India was that it felt outdated,” he elaborated, noting the audience’s growing preference for contemporary, commercial cinema.
Shah Rukh shared candidly about the hurdles encountered during the production of ‘Devdas,’ emphasizing the challenges of financial pressures and prolonged delays. Nevertheless, he described the journey as immensely rewarding, viewing it as a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, who treasured the story. “It was the most expensive film being made in India, so it went through its own share of troubles. Money issues, and producers vanishing, we had to complete the film in a few days,” he detailed. Despite these tribulations, he found the undertaking fulfilling, especially as a nod to his mother’s memory, who cherished the original tale. “A lot of actors in Mumbai told me not to do the film. ‘This is not your zone. You are more pop culture’. But I really wanted to do this because it was some kind of fulfilling of an unfinished dream and for my mother’s love.”
He concluded by sharing that he had presented the film to the legendary Dilip Kumar, who expressed his approval of their work. “I give all the credit to the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” Khan remarked, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the film’s success.
Source
www.news18.com