Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s decision not to cast Ajay Devgan as Devdas stemmed from his desire to pursue a fresh creative challenge. Ajay’s portrayal in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ initially inspired Bhansali’s approach to Devdas, but after experiencing the creative process with Ajay, Bhansali felt it would lack the excitement of exploring new dimensions in the character.
Shah Rukh Khan, on the other hand, offered Bhansali a chance to delve into a different interpretation. Bhansali envisioned Devdas as a complex figure—a simple yet volatile man-child, filled with anger and a hint of sadness in his eyes. He believed Shah Rukh could convey the multifaceted emotions of anger and self-destruction that define Devdas, illustrating how unchecked anger can erode creative energy.
For Bhansali, Devdas’s tragic essence lies in his choice to self-destruct rather than harm those he loves like Paro and Chandramukhi. He saw Shah Rukh as perfectly embodying this conflicted persona, capable of portraying the turmoil and depth of Devdas’s character. Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal validated Bhansali’s instincts, resonating deeply with audiences and cementing his interpretation of Devdas as a poignant and enduring cinematic masterpiece.
