While writing
about addiction in cinema I could not help but write about Devdas. Based on the Bengali novella of the
same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay 15th September 1876 – 16th January 1938). Published
in 1917 the novella was written in 1901. Depicting the life of an indecisive obsessive man with
little courage. Turned into a romantic tale over the years the film evokes
pity-turning Devdas into the ultimate fallen hero of Indian cinema. In over one century Devdas has been
Adapted for film, theater and television and translated into several Indian
languages. The earliest film based on the book was made in 1928.
The 2002 Bollywood version of the film brought the story back to
popularity. However the film was more about the visual effects and nostalgia
than the original abject nature of the titular character of book. Chattopadhyay
makes a scathing commentary about the modern educated man of his time. Torn
between a stereotype and being a rational man this book continues to provide an
analysis of human emotions.
