Even as critics sharpen their claws, and the audience gets ready to pass a verdict on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Rs 50-crore interpretation of Devdas, the man who immortalised the role on celluloid sits peacefully. ‘‘I wish they wouldn’t make comparisons,’’ Dilip Kumar says in his trademark soft voice.‘‘Shah Rukh Khan is a fine actor, and Sanjay Bhansali a talented director. I’m sure their version will be faithful to the book, and a gripping film.’’Like Bhansali and Shah Rukh who are peeved over constant comparisons to Bimal Roy’s version starring Dilip Kumar, the legendary actor himself says it’s not fair to the new film. ‘‘As long as the attempt is sincere, and as long as they’re not remaking it to outdo the earlier versions, I think we should give them a fair chance,’’ he explains.On his role, Dilip says: ‘‘I didn’t agree with much of the character’s thinking. But Sarat Chandra Chatterjee is a great novelist, and he made a far-fetched idea so believable.’’
