- By Parina Taneja
- Thu, 11 Sep 2025 01:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles, the 2002 movie Devdas marked a cinematic spectacle. Its extravagant production, opulent sets, stunning costumes and unforgettable soundtrack helped market it as a visual spectacle and ensured its commercial success. The tragic love story of Devdas was celebrated by critics and audiences alike. He was touted as an unfortunate man who lost his love and spiralled into self-destruction. Then there were the two women, Paro and Chandramukhi, who were tragically devoted to him.
At the time when Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie was released, Devdas was seen as a heartbroken hero, a martyr to his own unfulfilled love and his self-destruction was romanticised as a form of grand, all-consuming passion. Does that opinion stand true even today?
Devdas: Modern Critique Of A 2000s Classic
For years, we have heard how Devdas has been the ultimate ode to unrequited love. His passion and all-consuming love had set an example for lovers in the early 2000s. The hero’s despair, his refusal to fight for Paro, his subsequent descent into alcoholism and his painful final journey were presented as the ultimate tragedy. Every person who watched the movie deeply felt the pain of Devdas’ broken heart. But have you ever wondered that the film encouraged us to see his self-destruction not as a flaw, but as a testament to the depth of his love?
Today, the Gen Z and subsequent generations would not see Devdas as a tragic hero but question him for his toxic masculinity and unchecked entitlement. He would be a man who desperately needs therapy. The hero’s self-destructive behaviour, inability to communicate his feelings and his emotional immaturity would be the central focus of a modern-day critique.
In the movie, Devdas can be seen constantly lashing out at the women in his life. He first insults Paro's family, then abuses Chandramukhi and evidently throws away any chance at happiness because of his emotional immaturity. His pain can be real but his response to it is self-destructive and selfish.
Devdas: From Tragic Hero to Toxic Tale
Paro And Chandramukhi’s Lack of Agency
The movie revolves around Devdas (played by Shah Rukh Khan) and his tragic love story, in which the women in his life hardly have any agency. The two women's lives are defined by their devotion to a man who does not deserve them. While Paro's love for Devdas is so powerful that she sacrifices her life to a loveless marriage, Chandramukhi devotes her life to his very existence, even if he doesn’t reciprocate her love.
For today’s audience, it is difficult to accept that such intelligent and beautiful women are completely okay with sacrificing so much for a man who constantly brings them pain. Also, Devdas's obsession with Paro's ‘purity’ is a major point of contention. He believes that because she is not with him, she is somehow tainted. This view of women as possessions would be a major critique.
The Characters of Devdas in 2024
Devdas: Timeless Classic With A Flawed Hero
While today’s audience may not be able to accept Devdas as a tragic hero, the movie’s aesthetic beauty, harmonious music, and performances remain timeless. It was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's grace, Madhuri Dixit's powerful dancing and Shah Rukh Khan's raw vulnerability that made Devdas a classic.
However, if anyone watches the movie today for the first time, they would leave with a different opinion. There might be more frustration about the flawed hero than the shared feeling of a tragedy. Additionally, Devdas is a perfect example of how our perspectives on love, relationships, and gender have evolved over time.