The much hyped, much awaited magnanimous film Devdas is finally ready for public viewing. The most expensive Hindi film ever made in the country took two and a half years to be ready for the big screen. 'Devdas' the original story by Saratchandra has time and again caught directors fancy with two or three past releases. Now its Sanjay Leela Bhansali's turn to narrate the tragic life of a man who loved passionately but was destined to lose his beloved and his own life in the bargain.

Devdas born to a wealthy zamindar family had a special childhood with his playmate Paro keeping him company. Both Paro and Devdas could not seem to exist without each other. Even though they were separated when Devdas went to London for further studies, their relationship developed into something special on his return. But not for long.

Their smooth flowing romance comes to a standstill when economic and social differences between their families crop up especially when Paro's mother (Kiron Kher) is publicly insulted when she proposes their marriage. Humiliated, she promises to get her daughter married to a richer person and condemns Devdas to a life without love. Caught between his family and love he rejects a heartbroken Paro's urging to elope with her. Devdas leaves home and unknown to him Paro gets married to a Zamindar Bhuvan (Vijayendra Ghatge) much older to her, at her mothers coaxing.

Meanwhile Devadas who takes refuge with Chuni Bhai (Jackie Shroff) meets the beautiful Chandramukhi( Madhuri Dixit) a dancer who falls for him. When Devdas realises the depth of his feeling for Paro and returns for her , he finds that he is too late. A shattered Devdas turns to alcohol and self destruction. Even Chandramukhi's intense love and devotion could not bring Devdas back....

Devdas is director Bhansali's third venture after past hits like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Khamoshi'. The director who has been proved to have a way with telling stories doesn't disappoint this round too. But the film which is perfect technically and has abundance of grandeur, feel etc lacks in totality as the script falls back in places and is little dragging after intervel. Credit goes to the director for handling some of the sequences deftly. Drunken encounters between Devdas and Chunibai could have been avoided.

As far as performances are concerned, lovely and dainty Aishwarya as Paro walks away with the crown with her excellent performance. She fits the role perfectly. Madhuri as Chandramukhi also carries her role well. Shah Rukh excels in some sequences but this is not one of his best performances. Others worth mentioning are Kiron Kher who is superb as Paros mother and Ananya as Devda's sister in law.

Devdas is a treat to the eyes with exquisite sets, elegant costumes and jewellery, beautiful dance sequences choreographed by the famous Birju Maharaj and breath taking cinematography by Binod Pradhan. Definitely worth watching just for its grandeur, commercially whether it will be a success has to be seen.