Thursday, February 12, 2009

DEV D: An Atyacharik Cocktail of Emotions!!!


There were quite a few doubts and conjectures hovering over the fate of this modern-adaptation of perennial character popularly known as Dev-Das, for the simple reason that the man-in-charge Mr. Anurag Kashyap has quite an unimpressive trackrecord so far. His debut product ‘Paanch’ died even before it actually hit the silver screen because of the unavoidable eternal-delay; ‘Black Friday’ succumbed to the over-hype-n-hoopla of contentious issue combined with the jaws of piracy; his statuary warning named ‘No Smoking’ was only understood by the maker himself as it choked the viewers’ thought process and challenged the critics’ credentials to judge the movie. On the other hand, Abhay Deol is basking high on the adulation (critical or otherwise) bestowed over him for Oye Lucky, Manorama-Six-feet-Under and Ek-challis-ki-last-local. So it was interesting to see an end-result of the joint venture by two sons of entirely contrasting fate.
Anurag Kashyap has reinvented the portrayal of an inebriated loser that has been immortalized by first Dilip Kumar and then by SRK. There is slightest of familiarity with the characters; there is Paro who leaves our Dev D soaked in tears cocktailed with Vodka, there is Chandramukhi who provides support to the dipsomaniac and in turn craves for ever-eluding love, then there is Chunni too- the protagonist’s compotator. But that’s all for the similarity sake; the way characters has been concocted with the plot is something worth-praising, add to it the outrageously brilliant craftsmanship by Anurag and you are in for a pleasant surprise. There are quite few experiments as well, viz- typical background music is not used in the movie, instead the songs like Mahi menu,Hikknal, Pardesi, Duniya and Nayan Tarse are used for the purpose. The new music director Amit Trivedi deserves all the accolades for all these different-to-the-tee tracks. After long-long time a song has come that induces applause and whistles both from the masses and the classes; Emosanal Atyachar has already empowered itself as a youth-anthem and is sure shot hit. The cinematography is unconventional that comes from the fact that majority of the flick is filmed at night. The direction is flawless to say the least; finally Anurag makes his mark with his daredevil take on the Modern Devdas. On the flipside, the editing is efficacious in the first half but fails to negate the hangover and drags a bit in the second half. Mentally prepare yourself for few raunchy and sexy dialogues including F word; such dialogues combined with some bold scenes leaves audiences gasping for breath at more occasions than one.
The “Deol with the difference” does full justice to the hot-n-happening avatar of orthodox -Devdas as DEV D. With this new stellar performance to the fray, he further seals his place as a número uno of the so-called new-aged parallel cinema. If he has showcased his humorous self in his last release then here he epitomizes contemptuous nonchalance, self-centeredness, jealousy and impassiveness with customary élan. His impeccable act of devdas makes sure that moving forward, the ‘all-lost-in-love and found-solace-in-alocoholomania’ kinda guys would be epithetically known as DEV D. The leading lady Mahie Gill makes a confident debut and surely is a promising prospect, on the other hand Kalki is handled with care by Anurag in the flick but whether she will find her foothold in Bolly-Nagri is to be seen.
Harjeet’s Verdict: If you are not an hardcore fan of a “typical family entertainer”; If you are game for an outlandish treatment of the eccentric characters under bizarre circumstances; If you are ready to take bulls by horns by witnessing the coming-of-age adaptation of highly conventional love-story, If you are sick of all rosy love stories and want some temerarious attempt to redefine “Bollywood on the rise” tag; If your soft-soothing ears need some hard-on treatment through some bold words instead of covering up beeps; and finally, If you are headstrong for some ‘emotional atyachar’ on your traditional bolly-brainy; then raise a toast for DEV D and scream “CHEERS”. As against lots of IFs, there is only one ELSE:- Stay Away and Be in Peace!

11 comments:

Saurabha said...

As usual a great review from Rakhra's pen......oh.....from keyboard....

Mayank said...

Finally Harjeet Sir has reviewed the movie which i think is one of the most radical and unconventional movies in Indian Cinema over eons...

Sir i must admit that i too found the film like a fresh breath of oxygen in this forever static film industry...We can say that film making and storytelling in India is no longer an Oxymoron now...

While Abhay Deol deserves all the praise showered on him, one must watch out for him as his selection of roles are so striking that he leaves a deep impact on his audience...After all who can forget his role of an executive in Ek chalis....and now the rocking DEV D...

Rupesh Pandey said...

Tauba teri 'Vocab'
Tauba tere 'Thoughts'
tera emossional Review 'Rocks'
Yup DevD is 'the most radical and unconventional movies in Indian Cinema over eons...' and Abhay Deol Rocks again,one thing to add 'Concept' of this movie has been given by 'Abhay'and he is his 'costume designer' for this movie so is there another Farhaan Akhtar on making(running one man show!) and proving worth of a Hero,
Full Kudos to Kashyap and Trivedi,and editors of this movie which made DevD stand apart from SRK's Sweet candies and Akki's Buffoonery acts(which are Hit, Insane but compulsory),new 'tadka' to bollywood monotony is good like a pinch of salt for real movie Connoisseurs,
REVIEW:
"He epitomizes contemptuous nonchalance, self-centeredness, jealousy and impassiveness with customary élan."
BOSS!!What is this...i mean are you planning to join Booker brigade??How come you get such Adjectives??
"outlandish treatment of the eccentric characters under bizarre circumstances;"
Another "**SS burner" for other writers.
"If you are ready to take bulls by horns by witnessing the coming-of-age adaptation of highly conventional love-story"
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As against lots of IFs, there is only one ELSE:- Stay Away and Be in Peace! "

AND YE LAGA SIXER ON LAST BALL OF THE MATCH!!
I must say you left no stone unturned this time!!

Rupesh Pandey said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rupesh Pandey said...

he epitomizes contemptuous nonchalance, self-centeredness, jealousy and impassiveness with customary élan.
outlandish treatment of the eccentric characters under bizarre circumstances;
f you are ready to take bulls by horns by witnessing the coming-of-age adaptation of highly conventional love-story,
As against lots of IFs, there is only one ELSE:- Stay Away and Be in Peace!

Mayank said...

One more thing sirji which i left yesterday being in a hurry that we must not underrate Anurag Kashyap as well....B4 this i watched his BLACK FRIDAY and that too was very believable....Actually in India good movies and box-office success don't go hand in hand...But 4 mvie buffs like us with a taste for something hatke...Directors like Kashyap have lot to offer...And if u have seen the rushes of his next movie GULAAL starring none other than ever rocking Kay Kay based on highly sensitive and controversial issue of Rajputs revolting against Indian establishment to regain their lost glory...U too will agree wid me...

Harjeet S. Rakhra said...

@ Thanx Saurabha
For visiting my personal place this time than MS :)
@ Hey Mayank..
Thanxx (2 times for 2 comments) for taking ur precious time. Yes u r rite... Bollywood is on a threshold (few steps further, rather) of major "THE RISING". Gone are the days when Thinking actors and makers are bracketed as Parallel Cinema flag-bearers. Thankfully, today Makers like Anurag Kashyap and actors like Abhay Deol can walk away with all the critical acclaim and also BO success if WE watch movies with our Mind-set. I'm also OK with "some meaningful Craps" from Chopras and Johars..but now.. the likes of Abhays and Anurags are getting their far-deserved due.

@Hey Rupesh,
Its always gr8 to listen some gud words from a PRO like u. U know urself how brilliant and creative writer u r. I am just a dwarf infront of u.. still as always.. I wud gleefully accept ur Compliments :)
And no no.. I'm not in a moood or mission to put any writer on an A**-burner. I like my small place of solace (REad-Blog)..and I am happy with my bunch of frens like u..ever so encouraging me.

THANKS A TON to all of u!!!

sanjay said...

Dev D is an amazing film. Technically as well the treatment of characters. Thank god for people like anurag, vishal bharadwaji and sudhir mishra who go ahead and tear apart all norms in such hindi films are suppose to be. anyways good review.

ps. spelling of loser has single 'o' not double.

Unknown said...

Well.Good observation by Harjeet.If we look for Mr.Deo Clan,certainly, a new look of Mr.Deo.As a matter of facet,it seems that Mr.Deo was very certain what fate this movie is going to meet after the release.It reminds me of Managers who join other Companies to learn new skill.In the process they will always be the winners as their Resume reflects a new skill and experience learnt at new organisation,irrespective of the fact whether the organisation lives of dies.Similarly being an audience i liked his work and shades of his talent.Who knows,tomorrow Mr.Rakeysh Omprakash signs Mr.Deo for his new venture depending Mr.Deo's performance in so called out of the leak movies.Good Luck to Mr.Deo and the Director as well.

sleepingghost said...

I thought I will read this, after watching the movie, which I always prefer, but seems there is no chance to watch it in theater. Even I requested to Anurag in passionforcinema (his blog entry) to get it released here(lol).
I couldn't resisted as someone really praised the blog.....I love Oyye lucky and liked the Abhay Deol from the very first movie. Bhai high time masala likhne lage ho...jal rahi meri...criticize mail mein kar raha hu...lol

sleepingghost said...

Another one from Anurag Gulaal:

Jack and Jill, went up the hill to fetch a Pale of ______________