Shah Rukh Khan Calls Devdas A 'Tribute' To His Mother, Shares He Acquired Rights To Bhansali's Film Amid Money Issues

During the Locarno Film festival in Switzerland, Shah Rukh Khan presented the iconic 2002 film 'Devdas', which starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, and Jackie Shroff.

When a young Shah Rukh Khan watched Dilip Kumar’s 'Devdas' with his parents, who were ardent fans of the legendary actor, he could never have imagined that he would one day portray the same iconic character. Now 58 years old, Shah Rukh Khan recently received the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award (Career Leopard) at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, becoming the first Indian personality to be honoured with this accolade. During the festival, he presented the iconic 2002 film 'Devdas', which starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, and Jackie Shroff.

SRK shares details on acquiring rights to Bhansali's 'Devdas'

At the event, Shah Rukh Khan thrilled fans by revealing that his production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, has acquired the rights to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s lavish 2002 epic 'Devdas'. He made this announcement during a masterclass at the Locarno Film Festival, just before the screening of the film. "We, as a production company, bought the rights to this film, and I’m very, very proud that it belongs to our company now," Khan announced.

 

SRK reflects on the film's legacy

Reflecting on the film’s legacy, Shah Rukh Khan shared insights into the challenges and triumphs of bringing this epic love story to life. With over 18 film versions already in existence, including the legendary Dilip Kumar starrer, the pressure to offer a fresh interpretation was immense.

"By the time I got to see the film, I think they’d made 18 films based on the same novel, or 20, and lots of other plays and songs," he said. Khan recalled how his peers discouraged him from taking on the role, as it was a stark contrast to the characters he had previously portrayed. "By the time Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to make this film, I think the general sentiment in India was that it felt outdated. The country was undergoing a cultural shift towards a more liberalized mindset, with audiences increasingly gravitating towards lighter, commercial fare like college musicals," he explained.

 

The production of 'Devdas' was not without its challenges, as the film’s grandeur required opulent sets and intricate costumes. Khan revealed that the production faced financial difficulties and went over both budget and schedule. Despite these hurdles, he found the experience deeply fulfilling, particularly as a tribute to his mother, who was a passionate admirer of the original story.

When Devdas faced money issues

"It was the most expensive film being made in India, so it went through its own share of troubles—money issues, and producers vanishing. We had to complete the film in a few days. It went overtime, over budget, but I had a great time doing the film because I felt it was a tribute… a memory to my mother, who loved the film. A lot of actors in Mumbai told me not to do the film. 'This is not your zone. You are more pop culture.' But I really wanted to do this because it was like fulfilling an unfinished dream and for my mother’s love. We showed it to Dilip Kumar, and he appreciated it. I give all the credit to the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali," he emphasized.

SRK shares thoughts on playing the titular role

Praising his co-stars Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, and Jackie Shroff, Khan also reflected on his experience playing the titular character. "I was good in it. As you always wanted to play strong characters—an alcoholic—and I fitted into the character. I had never worn such an intricate Indian garb before." However, wearing a dhoti-kurta presented its own challenges.

"It was very difficult to walk and to keep from falling many times. You had to tie it properly, and after some time, I needed a specialist to tie it because it kept falling off between shots," Khan said, referring to the sarong-like dhoti he had to wear. "So, I got a zipper, which is blasphemous, but… I was always so worried that it would fall off while I was doing the scene," he joked.

 

Shah Rukh Khan described 'Devdas' as a “modern-day masterpiece” that has achieved cult status and garnered international recognition. "It does define a lot of Indian cinema through its opulence, its beauty, its larger-than-life quality, and its theatrics. It is a very dialogue-oriented, very dramatic musical film. And there are some outstanding dance sequences, some of the best I’ve ever shot in the world."