Shah Rukh Khan Opens Up About His Initial Hesitation to Play ‘Devdas’ and Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Conviction

Renowned actor Shah Rukh Khan admitted that he initially hesitated to portray the character of ‘Devdas,’ considering him to be a loser and an alcoholic.

However, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was adamant about casting him for the role. Shah Rukh shared that Bhansali told him, “I will only make this film with you because your eyes embody the essence of Devdas.”

This revelation came during a Q&A session at the 77th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, where Shah Rukh Khan received the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera award, making him the first Indian film personality to be honored at the event. ‘Devdas,’ a beloved tale in Indian literature and cinema, is an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1917 novel.

Previous versions of the story in Hindi cinema starred legends such as KL Saigal in 1936 and Dilip Kumar in 1955. Recounting a poignant memory of watching Dilip Kumar’s portrayal of Devdas in a theater alongside his mother, Shah Rukh Khan mentioned that he struggled to connect with the character at that time due to his alcoholism and inability to commit to a relationship.