Jackie Shroff remembers ‘Devdas’: It’s been 23 years since ‘Devdas’ first graced the big screen, yet its emotional weight and visual grandeur continue to resonate deeply with audiences.
Released in the monsoon of 2002, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic retelling of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic novel became an experience that rewrote cinematic benchmarks.
The story of doomed love, portrayed with stunning intensity by Shah Rukh Khan as the broken Devdas, Aishwarya Rai as the graceful yet wounded Paro, and Madhuri Dixit as the empathetic courtesan Chandramukhi, continues to tug at the heartstrings of fans even decades later.
Marking the film’s 23rd anniversary on Saturday, actor Jackie Shroff, who played loyal yet fun-loving friend Chunnilal to Devdas, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Shroff uploaded a poignant montage of scenes from the film. The clip featured his own interactions with SRK’s Devdas, as well as stirring moments with Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, and Kirron Kher.
#23YearsOfDevdas@bhansali_produc @iamsrk #AishwaryaRai @MadhuriDixit @KirronKherBJP #AnnaSingh#SanjayLeelaBhansali pic.x.com/VNSpCsxWwC
— Jackie Shroff (@bindasbhidu) July 12, 2025
Along with the video, he simply wrote: ‘#23YearsOfDevdas’.
For many, ‘Devdas’ is not just tragic storyline. It is also rich aesthetics, lavish sets, opulent costumes, stirring background score, and emotionally charged dialogues.
Bhansali’s direction transformed the age-old tale into a cinematic spectacle, blending drama and grandeur in a way that left a lasting imprint on Hindi cinema.
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At its core, ‘Devdas’ is a story of longing and heartbreak. It is the pain of a man torn apart with societal norms and personal choices, and a woman who waits behind closed doors for a lover who never returns.
SRK’s portrayal of the emotionally wrecked Devdas remains one of his most nuanced performances.
Aishwarya’s Paro glows with restrained strength and sorrow. And, Madhuri’s Chandramukhi brings dignity and grace to a character often misunderstood in earlier interpretations.
What elevated ‘Devdas’ was its ensemble casting. Kirron Kher, Smita Jaykar, Jaya Bhattacharya, and of course, Jackie Shroff, added layers to the narrative.