Softwing Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Kidskycom It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

CastleToe At the time of going for the movie, I had heard that Sarat Chandra's novel Devdas has been adapted at least 9 times (some say 16 times, figures vary) on the silver screen. It includes the famous renderings by Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan. But nothing, I mean none of those adaptations prepares you for watching this reckless contemporary take on the same novel. The vision of Abhay Deol brought on screen by Anurag Kashyap (and Vikramaditya Motwane) is nothing short of speechlessly rebellious by nature.I was an amateur film-goer back then. Dev.D was one of my initial Hindi films in a theatre. In fact, seeing the initial credit of a "Thank You" to Danny Boyle, I even joked to my friend that he had mistakenly bought a ticket to Slumdog Millionaire! Not Funny. But the initial ten minutes of the movie certainly were funny. In their own wicked way, at that. It gave an outrageous background of lust to the lead characters of Devinder Singh Dhillon and Parminder (so much for adapted names!) in stark contrast to their love that forms the soul of the story of Devdas.Thereafter, the movie moves wildly through the lives of the three lead characters and how they get affected by the gossip of the side characters. The language use was preposterous in places. But limited to the point of enhancing the movie and not degrading it. It was amazing to see the amount of care that Kashyap has paid to the detailing in each scene. I particularly remember three of these scenes. In the first, when Dev.D first meets the pimp Chunni (Dibyendu Bhattacharya), the background flashes a big neon light that spells out RAND (slang for "prostitute" in Hindi). I was shocked as no one else seemed to notice it and I pointed it out to my friend who was amused. We waited and watched and as they started walking, the camera zoomed out and we read the words "GRAND HOTEL". Our respect for Kashyap had increased manyfold. The second scene was similar in nature and displayed the words HIV in the background of a brothel balcony where Chanda was standing. (I didn't manage to catch the remainder of the word but never mind!) The third scene involves a verbal fight between a girl and Dev.D in the bus and the camera zooming to catch the word "Mahilaye" ("Ladies" in Hindi) on the bus with the letter "Ma" scratched out. It now spelt out as "Hilaye" ("Jerk off" in Hindi). It gives the clue to the viewer that a break-up is on the cards. Hillariously Epic!Such kind of detailing by a filmmaker is rarely observed in Indian cinema. Who, after all, bothers to show anything else apart from the actor's faces and body language at the most? But Kashyap, the rebel that he is, refused to stop with just that. He has used dizzying camera angles and tricks (apparently taught by Danny Boyle) that are usually not employed by Indian filmmakers. The drinking scene during the song "Pardesi" uses a special camera that was imported from Holland by Danny Boyle and can capture an incredulous 40 frames per second in contrast to normal 25fps cameras (not sure about the specs, read about them a long time ago).The adapted writing also includes three narrators that appear throughout the movie and keep an eye on the characters, some real-life incidents that serve as backdrop for many important scenes (the Delhi school MMS scandal,the BMW hit-and-run case) and also some awesome scenes (the hilarious episode at the bus, the car crash outside the phone booth) that have been adapted from world cinemas as an ode to them. By the way, the first customer of Chanda (Kalki Koechlin) is a cameo by Anurag Kashyap. See if you can spot him!The brilliance of this movie does not, however, end with the screenplay and direction. The trippy soundtracks featuring 18 tracks by Amit Trivedi (that fetched him a National Award) are a treat to listen to. They still remain my all-time favourite soundtrack album. Sadly, I have never heard any of these underrated songs sung in any stage concert or in any of those mind-dumbing reality shows. The extraordinary cinematography (Kashyap's regular Rajeev Ravi) has been carefully used throughout the movie to enhance the mood of the different scenes. The cutting-edge editing (by Kasyap-experienced ex-wife Aarti Bajaj) in many of the drinking scenes take this movie to the dizzying level you would expect to find yourself if you were as drunk as Devdas.I still remember to having spent the least amount on a Multiplex movie ticket (Rs.60) but having enjoyed it more than the costlier bigger budget extravaganzas. In fact, the only ever thing that I could complain about this movie, was the way it ended. I really didn't expect the lights to switch on at that point. It kinda leaves you incomplete. But the rest of the movie makes up for it.Lose your control, Kashyap. Be the rebel forever!8/10

sumranjots Insanity finds a new avatar in this celluloid flux that moves like a vagabond. Erratic from the word go, the most audacious display of characterization, brazen , bold, and in your face...from the rustic fields of Punjab, to the mean streets of Delhi with a detour to London and some snow-capped destination, this voyage of voyeurism is deftly told by Mr. Debonair director , Anurag Kashyap. The message comes in Vodka bottles, in smokes and fumes, and in graffiti drenched dark dingy rooms and sometime in pink papers.We have all hell breaking loose here...with a no holds barred , dare to bare,pervert look at the contemporary Devdas...complete with Paro , Chandramukhi and Chunni Lal!God Must Be Crazy ? Otherwise, Paro is not a damsel Chandramukhi is not just a hooker...and Chunni Lal is ain't no booker ?!And what about Devdas...the quintessential lover boy who looses it all in the bottle? Well, well, well....he is out there...a Punjabi munda on the rocks! He doesn't care a damn about love...what matters is whats on the platter...Groundbreaking Music (hikknaal, mahi menu, Pardesi ), earth shattering lyrics (Emotional Attaychar, Saali Khushi), Mindbending screenplay, Earthy cinematography and topnotch performances by Abhay Deol (Dev), Mahie Gill (Paro) and Chanda (Kalki Keochlin)....this is heady cocktail of modern sociology.Mind it....the flavor is strong. Incredibly Intoxicating!

abhijeetb84 at first i was reluctant to see this movie..donno why? but one day i thought of taking a chance and this movie just brilliant in all aspects.Mr.Anurag Kashyap is talented director & storyteller...believe it or not...but he's just admirable with this creation..though this movie is not liked by many...but those who saw this or about to see this there won't be any regrets..Bollywood is only known for its romance action and loads of songs.but GenX directors like Anurag Kashyap,Farahaan akhthar,Siddharth anand making Bollywood comparable with all other ___woods" in the world.and i wud be very thankful to Anurag Kashyap for Udaan & Dev D..keep directing Anurag.

Avinandan Datta This movie has given me hope about Indian cinema. This is post modern Indian cinema. Anurag Kashyap demonstrates that it is possible to make a slick modern day cinema with characters that are very Indian. No need to resort to copying scenes from Hollywood big budget John Woo style movies to give movies a modern look. Dev D's India is modern India. Don't get me wrong. This is not an attempt to make a movie with a message or a moral. This is storytelling the way stories should be told. No overacting, not too many cinematic liberties, no in your face emotions. But you still feel the pain of the characters and maybe (if you have had dark moments in life) you can even relate to them.This is also not completely realistic. There are many surreal and psychedelic moments which have been appropriately depicted using interesting camera angles and even more interesting background score.Amit Trivedi's music is without precedence. The entire 18 song soundtrack can stand on its own independent of the movie. Yet in the movie the music is seamless except for maybe a few tracks which needed to grab your attention.The direction is excellent, realistic, almost flawless. The acting is superb. Especially Abhay Deol as Dev.All in all a movie worth more than one viewing. If you want to enjoy the direction, watch it at least twice.