Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan recently opened up about his experience playing the iconic character of Devdas in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 film Devdas. Speaking at the Locarno Film Festival, Khan revealed that he turned to alcohol to prepare for the role of the heartbroken alcoholic protagonist, a decision that had both positive and negative effects on his life.
Shah Rukh shared that his method acting approach helped him win the prestigious Best Actor award the following year, but it also had a personal cost. “It might have helped professionally, but I started drinking after the film, and that’s one downside to it,” he admitted, acknowledging the toll it took on his health.
The actor also reflected on his portrayal of Devdas, originally created by Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1917. Shah Rukh explained how he aimed to present a complex character, saying, “I didn’t want the audience to love him or hate him. Nor did I want people to like him for being an alcoholic who runs away from every woman he loves. I just wanted him to be indescribable.”
About Devdas
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas was a grand adaptation of the novel, following in the footsteps of Bimal Roy’s 1955 classic, which starred Dilip Kumar in the title role. In Bhansali’s version, Shah Rukh Khan played Devdas alongside Aishwarya Rai as Paro and Madhuri Dixit as Chandramukhi. The film also featured Jackie Shroff as Chunri Babu, Kirron Kher, Tiku Talsania, and Dina Pathak.
Devdas premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002, making it one of the few Hindi films to earn that distinction. Its elaborate sets, emotional storytelling, and Ismail Darbar’s memorable music left a lasting impact on audiences. Made with an unprecedented budget of ₹50 crore at the time, the film went on to earn ₹99.88 crore globally.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Upcoming Projects
Following the success of Devdas, Shah Rukh Khan has continued to dominate the Bollywood industry. His next highly anticipated release is King, a crime drama directed by Sujoy Ghosh. The film will see Shah Rukh share the screen with his daughter, Suhana Khan, in an age-appropriate role. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, King is slated for a grand release on Eid 2026.
Sources By Agencies
