Devdas (1955 film)
| Devdas | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Bimal Roy |
| Produced by | Bimal Roy |
| Written by |
Screenplay: Nabendu Ghosh Dialogue: Rajinder Singh Bedi |
| Based on |
Devdas by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| Narrated by | Bimal Roy |
| Starring |
Dilip Kumar Vyjayanthimala Suchitra Sen Motilal |
| Music by | Sachin Dev Burman |
| Cinematography | Kamal Bose |
| Studio |
Mehboob Studio Filmistan |
| Distributed by |
Bimal Roy Production Mohan Films |
| Release dates |
|
| Running time | 159 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Box office |
 1,00,00,000 (1955) |
Devdas is a 1956 film directed by Bimal Roy, based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel, Devdas.[1] The film had Dilip Kumar in title role, Vyjayanthimala in her first dramatic role where she played as Chandramukhi the hooker with a heart of gold and Suchitra Sen in her Bollywood debut as Parvati in the lead. While Motilal, Nazir Hussain, Murad, Pratima Devi, Iftekhar and Shivraj playing other significant role with Pran and Johnny Walker in extended cameo appearance.
In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.[2] Devdas was also ranked at Number 2 on University of Iowa's List of Top 10 Bollywood Films by Corey K. Creekmur.[3] The film was also noted for its cinematography and lighting under Kamal Bose that enhanced the emotional torment of the tight-lipped protagonist played by Dilip Kumar.[4]
Plot
Set against the backdrop of rural Bengal during feudal times, Devdas is the story of a doomed love affair between Devdas (Dilip Kumar), son of the local zamindar (landlord), a high-caste Brahmin, and Parvati (Suchitra Sen), the daughter of their neighbour, also a Brahmin, but belonging to a slightly lower status in terms of caste, affluence and status. They grow up as childhood sweethearts. When they decide to marry, Devdas' father puts his foot down, packing his younger son off to Calcutta for higher studies. Parvati's marriage is finalized with a wealthy zamindar, a widower with children older than his young second wife. Learning about Parvati's marriage, Devdas rushes back to his village and tries to stop it, in vain. Parvati is prepared to elope with him: Devdas refuses and Parvati leaves his room in the middle of the night, castigating him for his cowardice.
In Calcutta, Chunilal (Motilal) introduces him to an attractive and strong-willed courtesan, Chandramukhi (Vyjayanthimala), and initiates Devdas into the darker corridors of the city. Devdas finds an easy escape in drink and though he insists that he hates Chandramukhi, he keeps coming back to her for moral support. Chandramukhi falls in love with him. He meets Parvati once more, when he returns to the village to perform the last rites of his father. He bequeaths his share of the family wealth to his older brother, ear-marking a part of it for his mother during her lifetime. Parvati pleads with him to give up drinking. He evades a direct reply and instead promises to see her at least one last time before he dies. Back to the city, he drowns himself in drink. Chandramukhi gives up the life of a professional courtesan and concentrates on nursing Devdas back to health. He gives up drinking for some time and is advised to go on a holiday. He embarks on a train journey across the country, destination unknown. He stealthily runs away one night, leaving his faithful family retinue Dharamdas in the train when he chances upon a railway station that will take him to Manikpur where Parvati lives. He treks along in a bullock cart to see Parvati one last time. He dies a tragic and painful death under a tree outside her house before Parvati can see him.
Cast
- Dilip Kumar as Devdas Mukherjee
- Vyjayanthimala as Chandramukhi
- Suchitra Sen as Parvati Chakraborty / Paro
- Motilal as Chunni Babu
- Nazir Hussain as Dharamdas
- Murad as Devdas' father
- Pratima Devi as Devdas' mother
- Shivraj as Parvati's father
- Iftekhar as Brijudas
- Pran as Chandramukhi's patron
- Johnny Walker as Chandramukhi's patron
Soundtrack
The Soundtrack of Devdas was composed by Sachin Dev Burman and the lyrics were penned by the veteran poet/lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi.
| Song | Singer |
|---|---|
| "Mitwa Lagi Yeh Kaisi" | Talat Mehmood |
| "Kisko Khabar Thi" | Talat Mehmood |
| "Jise Tu Kabool Karle" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| "Ab Aage Teri Marzi" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| "O Jaan-e-Wale Ruk Ja" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| "Woh Na Ayenge Paltkar" | Mubarak Begum |
| "Aan Milo Aan Milo" | Manna Dey & Geeta Dutt |
| "Sajan Ki Ho Gayi Gori" | Manna Dey & Geeta Dutt |
| "Manzil Ki Chah Mein" | Mohammad Rafi & Chorus |
Awards
| Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd National Film Awards[5] | Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film in Hindi | Bimal Roy | Won | Behalf of Bimal Roy Productions |
| 4th Filmfare Awards[6] [7] |
Best Actor | Dilip Kumar | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Motilal | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Vyjayanthimala | She refused to accept the award as she thought her role was not a supporting one. | ||
| Karlovy Vary International Film Festival | India's official submission for Crystal Globe | Bimal Roy | Not Nominated |
References
- ↑ "Devdas over the years …". YouthTimes.in.
- ↑ Kanwar, Rachna (3 October 2005). "25 Must See Bollywood Movies". Indiatimes movies. Archived from the original on 22 August 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
- ↑ Corey K. Creekmur. "Top 10 Bollywood Film". University of Iowa. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
- ↑ Dinesh Raheja (December 9, 2002). "The perceptive camera of Bimal Roy". rediff.com, Movies:. Retrieved Apr 28, 2013.
- ↑ "3rd National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Retrieved September 01, 2011.
- ↑ "The Winners 1956". The Times of India. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
- ↑ "Devdas (1955)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
External links
- Devdas at the Internet Movie Database
- Devdas review
- An analysis of the film at Let's talk about Bollywood
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