American publication Time magazine has lauded 2002’s Devdas as the eighth in the top ten greatest films of the millennium.
Bollywood director’s Leela Bhansali’s hit was given a nod in the list, along with The Artist at number 10 and WALL.E taking the coveted number one spot.
The news magazine described Shah Rukh Khan as an “all-world charismatist” and Maduri Dixit as “a hot number who danced flamencos on men’s libidos.”
It said, “A year after Moulin Rouge! had its world premiere at Cannes, another visually intoxicating musical opened at the festival, introducing sang-and-danced Bollywood dramas to the international culturati.”
“Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1901 novel inspired at least a half-dozen film versions before this one – in its time, the priciest movie in Indian history (at about $10.6 million).”
Of the leading stars, it said that Shah Rukh Khan is an “all world charismatist” and Dixit as “a hot number who had danced flamenco on men’s libidos for a decade or so before appearing in this worldly-wise role” of a prostitute.
“The piece is played with such commitment that the tritest plot twists seem worth believing – and dancing to, in nine nifty production numbers. But the fervid emotion is what makes the thing sing,” the magazine said.
“Beyond that, Devdas is a visual ravishment, with sumptuous sets, fabulous frocks and beautiful people to fill them; it has a grandeur the old Hollywood moguls would have loved.”
