3 Idiots vs Dev D (vs Devdas) – An Unlikely Comparison??

  
Thought I’d start the new year with a BANG!! heh heh ;-)

Ok, at the surface, I know that a comparison between these movies will seem superfluous to most – even absurd!! No need to worry, I haven’t lost my marbles, at least not yet!! Just stay with me a minute, ok?? I do agree that these are two diametrically opposite movies based on totally different themes and revolve around an entirely unique set of characters… but there are quite a few distinct similarities too!! Let me explain…

The first similarity – for me at least – is that I loved both movies!! ;-) heh heh I mean, I really enjoyed them, I could identify with many of their characters and situations and that both movies made me think. Difficult to say that bout most Bollywood fare, huh? But that’s just my opinion; let me not dwell on THAT for long, especially when the larger majority of viewers actually felt let down, even repulsed by Dev D!

Next, look at the basic plots, or rather, their origins. 3 Idiots is based on the well known novel 5 Point someone, that though recent, drew quite a lot of public acclaim but had its share of critics too. Dev D on the other hand, was also based on a classic novel, but for most of the public it was a ‘remake’ of the classic movie Devdas. It doesn’t end here – like all novel-based movies, a comparison between 3 Idiots and the original novel was predictable; and like all remakes, Dev D was inevitably compared to Devdas!

It goes still further: as per the general presumption (at least in the minds of the intelligentsia) that a movie often doesn’t do justice to the original novel that it is based on, 3 Idiots had to overcome that obstacle and prove itself to be ‘different’ & out-of-the-box – and it did. Similarly, for a ‘remake’ like Dev D to go beyond the appeal of not only the older and unforgettable classic as far as movies go, was an even more challenging task – it needed to be even more ‘different’ to make its identity felt.

Coming to the more interesting aspects, unlikely similarities do exist in how that element of being dissimilar from the precedents was incorporated in each movie. Both movies did it by straying from the original story line but preserving most of the framework – innovative characters and situations were introduced, the stories themselves were modified in order to bring in some plausible elements that a modern man or woman could easily identify with. And no matter whether people liked the final products or not, I can safely say that both movies succeeded in that aspect at least – they could carve out their own distinct identities in spite of the well appreciated originals!

The way in which those innovations were incorporated in both movies was quite dissimilar, of course, but even then, the similarity was that the innovations were totally unforeseen and unique. Add to that beautiful and meaningful music scores (Dev D definitely scored over 3 Idiots here!) and exemplary acting by all the leading and supporting actors (interestingly, both movies revolved around three seminal characters!) and it is no surprise really that both movies are already being considered as landmarks in story-telling by fans & critics alike! Some would even venture to call them “modern” cult-classics in their own right, although I’d consider that a tad premature…

But what was it about these innovations that generated unprecedented appreciation for one movie and disapproval for another?? As of today, there isn’t much negative criticism about the 3 Idiots (poor Chetan Bhagat’s plight notwithstanding) and the reason is simple enough – it succeeded in giving a positive message in a positive & humorous manner and therefore appealed to the audience, the aam-janta left the theaters chanting 'Aal Izz Wellll'! And what about Dev D?? Well, it gave a positive message too, but for most of the audience, the message was largely obscured by the considerable madness behind the method, an 'Emosional Atyachar' that jarred the common man’s sensibilities. And therefore, it generated a predictable response – it was a commercial flop, albeit a success in terms of critical appeal.

Why did the same critics who liked 3 Idiots, praise Dev D too though?? They know the aam-janta’s preferences & sensibilities, then how could the pundits themselves be mistaken?? Or did they fall for that common trap – of misinterpreting ‘the different’ for ‘the interesting’?? Is Indian cinema becoming more & more prejudiced towards what goes away from the beaten track rather than that which is really virtuous & ‘likable’??

Dissecting 3 Idiots is relatively easy. It is no doubt a path breaking film in what it teaches us, but not in HOW it teaches us. Anyone who knew the basic plot (do what your heart tells you to do, even if it means going against the society) would have expected something similar to this movie – and nothing else. The director’s main problem probably wasn’t how to formulate the right message for the audience, but rather, how to dress up that message into something interesting and intriguing so that the audience, already aware that ‘aal wil b welll’ in the end, should stay glued to their seats throughout the movie. And yes, he did succeed – I agree whole heartedly that it IS a great movie, already one of my all time favorites!

Analyzing Dev D is not so easy. More so if you are someone who didn’t like it! As opposed to 3 Idiots, the director’s main dilemma wasn’t just to make it a novel & appealing experience for the audience that, in this case, was already well-versed with the plot and in addition, had loved the classic on which it had been based – an even bigger problem was how to add a positive message to the whole exercise.

After all, what did the old classic teach us, only that love has the power to destroy?? What satisfaction does one derive out of seeing a passionate relationship getting shattered, a defeated man denigrating himself to liquor & bad company, demolishing himself so easily, two beautiful and deserving ladies suffering to no end?? And the same aam-janta who appreciated all this, calls Dev D a hideous disaster?? ;-)

Yes, as compared to Devdas, Dev D was more graphic at times in what it meant to convey, but why it was unpalatable for many was because it came uncomfortably close to real life.

Accept that. How easily acceptable it was to see a Devdas go to a Chandramukhi just for the sake of 'only' sympathy & music – right? – and how revolting to see a modern Dev trying to forget some of his pain in the company of an obvious prostitute Chanda!!

We marveled at the love so purely and beautifully depicted in the old classic, but even as we term Dev D unnecessarily crude, we turn a blind eye to the voyeuristic media coverage of MMS scandals and ministerial romps that have become almost mundane. A defeated & depressed man taking to liquor in the original is ok, as long as he doesn’t act against the society and destroys ONLY himself, as did the modern one. The original elegant and submissive Paro who loses all her love for nothing is someone to sympathize with, but not the modern Paro who is more down to earth, is explicitly expressive and assertive, and even laughs on the face of a defeated man. It’s acceptable to see the original Devdas go to a brothel, but it becomes repulsive to see what the brothel really feels like. To see Chandramukhi as the beautiful seductress torn by the plight of Devdas is appealing, and but how a Chanda is made & what she has to go through, is too objectionable to depict!

A common question that is asked here is ‘it might be true, but what was the need to show it all’? I ask, why not show what is real?? What do we gain by turning a blind eye to the reality that is life??

In the end, it’s the message that is important, right?? What did Devdas tell you?? That it’s 'beautiful' to destroy yourself and everyone who cares for you for the single pathetic reason that you lost in love – and that’s it?? Some message!! But what does Dev D tell you?? Thankfully, there’s at least one thing that everyone did like about it. At the end of the movie, Dev learns his lesson. He finds true love ...and hope. And most importantly, Dev lives! The movie Dev D professed that no matter how badly life treats you, no matter what a failed relationship does to you, in fact, no matter how human you are, there is always a way to fight not only against the society but also against yourself, that you can always rise above the odds, change yourself for the better and above all, not to lose hope under any circumstances!

In short, it’s not important whether you win or lose in life, it’s the attitude with which you fight it that will make you victorious on your terms. Not so far from 3 Idiots, is it??