Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas Turns 23! 23 Reasons To Rewatch This Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai-Led Masterpiece

It has been 23 years since Devdas first graced our screens, and it still feels just as grand, just as heartbreaking, and just as unforgettable. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, released in 2002, was not just a film, it was an experience. As Devdas turns 23, here is why it deserves a rewatch (or a first-time watch, if you’re lucky enough to see it with fresh eyes):

23 Reasons To Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas

1. Shah Rukh Khan’s Iconic Performance – Shah Rukh Kha ’s portrayal of the doomed lover Devdas remains one of his most layered and tragic roles—intense, broken, and unforgettable.
2. Aishwarya Rai as the Graceful Paro – A vision in every frame, Aishwarya’s elegance and raw emotional depth as Paro make her performance timeless.
3. Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi – Her nuanced portrayal of a courtesan with a heart of gold remains one of Madhuri’s finest performances to date. It was pure poetry in motion.
4. Ismail Darbar’s Spellbinding Music – From Dola Re Dola to Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka, the soundtrack is a haunting blend of classical and contemporary.
5. Bhansali’s Signature Visual Opulence – Every frame is a painting. Chandeliers, palatial sets, and ornate costumes make Devdas a visual feast.
6. The Iconic Dola Re Dola Dance-Off – Two of Bollywood’s greatest dancers—Madhuri and Aishwarya—sharing screen space in a legendary jugalbandi.
7. Sumptuously Detailed Costumes – Designed by Neeta Lulla, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, and Reza Shariffi, the costumes redefined cinematic fashion.
8. The Tragic Romance That Still Hurts – Devdas and Paro’s story is a slow burn of love, pride, and self-destruction. It’s Shakespearean in scale and devastation.
9. Lavish Sets That Set a New Benchmark – Whether it was Paro’s haveli or Chandramukhi’s kotha, every set was crafted like a dream.
10. The Symbolism in Every Scene – From mirrors to candles to shadows—Bhansali packs each frame with metaphors.
11. Kirron Kher and Smita Jaykar’s Memorable Supporting Roles – Even the supporting cast shines, especially as the protective mother figures in Paro and Devdas’ lives.
12. The Soul-Stirring Dialogues – “Kaun kambakht bardasht karne ko peeta hai…” remains one of Hindi cinema’s most quoted lines.
13. The Art of Melancholy, Mastered – Bhansali’s treatment of longing and loss has never been more poetic.
14. Saratchandra Chattopadhyay’s Classic, Reimagined – The Bengali author’s tragic tale gets a rich, emotionally grand adaptation.
15. A Masterclass in Cinematography – Binod Pradhan’s camera work elevates every frame into fine art.
16. It Made India Proud at Cannes – Premiered at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, the film drew standing ovations for its bold grandeur.
17. That Last Scene Still Breaks You – Devdas collapsing at Paro’s doorstep as the gates close… cinematic heartbreak at its finest.
18. Every Frame Deserves to be Paused – This film invites you to absorb its details—frame by frame, emotion by emotion.
19. It’s Sanjay Leela Bhansali at His Most Unrestrained – If Devdas was a canvas, Bhansali painted it with every emotion, every color, every tear.
20. It Gave Bollywood One of Its Most Loved Trios – SRK, Aishwarya, and Madhuri—each at the peak of their craft.
21. The Cultural Impact Was Massive – From stage performances to fashion trends, Devdas left its mark far beyond the screen.
22. Because Some Love Stories Don’t Have to End with “Happily Ever After” – Sometimes, a broken ending tells a more powerful tale.
23. It’s a Piece of Indian Cinema History – Whether you watch it for nostalgia or for its cinematic brilliance, Devdas is a timeless gem worth revisiting.

So pour yourself a glass of nostalgia and revisit Devdas—because 23 years later, the pain, beauty, and poetry still linger.

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Also Read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas Turns 23! 10 Iconic Dialogues From Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan And Madhuri Dixit Starrer That Echo Through Time