Shah Rukh Khan: High On Devdas

Jitendra Kothari

Shah Rukh Khan finds his role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's version of Saratchandra's
immortal classic, Devdas, extremely challenging. He plays the famous disenchanted lover,
Devdas, who looks for solace in a bottle. Of late, Shah Rukh has been shooting round-the
clock for the film since Bhansali wants to complete his shots on the ceiling-less haveli set
before the monsoons set in.

During a breather, over puffs of a cigarette, Shah Rukh admits, "It's very difficult to play
an alcoholic. If it's a one-scene job, you can go the whole hog and slur in your speech,
swagger and do the works but if you are playing a drunk most of the time, you have to
make sure you don't go over the top, while on the other hand, ensure that you are not
playing it too flat." In jest, the Khan adds, "I hope by the end of the film, I don't become a
real-life alcoholic." Good to hear an actor mulling over and microanalysing his work; and
thankfully, for a story that's a favourite in Indian hearts.