Shah Rukh Khan on the ‘downside’ of Devdas: Started drinking after the film

Shah Rukh Khan recently opened up about his experience portraying the iconic role of Devdas in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 adaptation.
SRK, after receiving the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism award at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, sat down for a conversation organised by the event’s producers. He spoke about portraying the iconic character of Devdas. Reflecting on his performance, Shah Rukh shared that he approached the character not as a tragic loser but as a man with his own reasons for not committing to love.
“I didn’t want you to feel love for him, but I didn’t want you to hate him either. Nor did I want you to like him for being an alcoholic who runs away from every girl he falls in love with. I just wanted him to appear indescribable,” he explained.
Shah Rukh also admitted to facing significant anxiety during the filming of Devdas, even turning to alcohol while playing the character. When asked if it helped, he quipped, “Well, I got the Best Actor award.”
He further added, “It might have helped, but I started drinking after the film and that’s one downside to it.”
Shah Rukh also said why he chose to play Devdas, that was previously portrayed by veteran actors. “For some reason, I always felt if I make films which are very big, my mom and dad could see them from heaven. It’s a childish thought, but I still think my mom’s a star. I even know the star she is,” he said.

“I just felt that if I made Devdas, she would really like it and appreciate it. I didn’t think I could play the character because some of the greatest artistes in our country like Dilip Kumar, KL Saigal and Uttam Kumar had played it flawlessly earlier. I don’t think mine (his portrayal) is so brilliant or good. In spite of a lot of senior actors telling me not to do it, I just wanted to do it,” he added, while also praising Bhansali.
Released in 2002, Devdas was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher, and others, the film was adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s famous novel of the same name.