Shahrukh did not want to do Devdas.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’, based on Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, is one of the historical films of Indian cinema and Shahrukh Khan’s career. However, it is a different matter that Shahrukh Khan was initially not ready to do this film. Yes, King Khan himself has revealed this. Actually, recently Shahrukh Khan was honored with the ‘Pardo alla Carriera’ award at the ‘Locarno Film Festival’. Shahrukh is the first Indian to be honored with this award. In this program, people were also shown Shahrukh Khan starrer ‘Devdas’. In such a situation, King Khan shared a very interesting anecdote related to this film.
What did Shahrukh say about Devdas?
Shahrukh Khan revealed how he was not ready to do this film, but Bhansali convinced him to do this film and become Devdas. Because, Bhansali felt that Shahrukh was perfect to play the role of Devdas. However, the question is what did Bhansali say that Shahrukh agreed to do this film after saying no.
Shahrukh had refused to do Devdas
Talking about Devdas, Shah Rukh Khan said, ‘It has been made many times in the country and it is about a guy who is a drunkard, is not committed to a girl and walks away. When I was offered this film, I did not see any essence in it at that age. Many years ago, when Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who I think is one of the most talented filmmakers of our time, came and said, I want you to do Devdas. I said, no, he is a loser, a drunkard. I am too good to be Devdas!’
How did Bhansali convince Shahrukh?
Talking about this, Shahrukh further says- ‘It was kind of over and then before leaving, he said just one thing, which is still associated with me. He said, ‘I will not make this film if not with you, because your eyes are like Devdas.’ So I said, okay. He said, ‘I will not cast anyone.’ And for a year he did not do that. Then we met again and I said, ‘Okay, if you don’t get eyes like mine then I will do the film.’
What did Shahrukh say next?
Shah Rukh also said that he didn’t want anyone to pay attention to Devdas, even though the acting was good. “I don’t like playing characters that disrespect women. I will have integrity. I didn’t want him to be liked in the film because, you know, there’s a woman who loves him, but he’s not committed to her. I wanted him to come across as someone who is a bit spineless. This is not someone you should look up to.”
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