Bhansali proves critics wrong

Made on lavish sets with expensive costumes, Devdas was one of the biggest Bollywood releases last year. Winning 22 nominations, including one for best film, at the Screen Awards, it has proved that a much-exploited theme could work provided it is executed properly.

It was said much of the anguish and pain depicted in Bhansali’s Devdas was inspired by the director’s own experiences in real life. ‘‘The seed of the film was sown the day my father died,’’ Bhansali had said in an interview.

‘‘I remember my father extending his hand to my mother, when he was in a semi-comatose state. It is an image that has stayed with me. In 22 years that I’d lived with my father, this was the only time I saw him reach out to my mother. Never before had I seen any expression of love between them.’’

And Bhansali was determined to give his best to the Devdas project. Undaunted by the controversies that clouded and the mishaps that marred the making of Devdas (financier Bharat Shah was arrested just after the film went to the floor, Kareena Kapoor made a song and dance over her replacement with Aishwarya Rai, accidents on the sets claimed two lives), the director went ahead with his dream project.

Bhansali says filmmaking is more than entertainment. ‘‘It’s like going to war. You have to lose many battles to win the war.’’ And so far he has won many battles.

About Devdas’s chances at the Oscars, he says: ‘‘I am quite positive about Devdas’’.