Devdas and Karma


This glorious film, perhaps even more than the 2002 remake seems constantly to bring issues of Karma and destiny to the fore. Devdas indicates that perhaps he and Paro were involved in some capacity in a former incarnation, and the cremation scene at the end suggests perhaps the possibility for rebirth and the continuation of the love in the next life, which is either beautiful or upsetting, depending on how you view the nature of Paro and Devdas's desire, or indeed desire as a concept. For others who are undecided (like myself) it's beautiful and upsetting at the same time.

Anyway, I wondered if people thought, within the logic of the film whether the ending supplied both characters with the possibility of release from the original desire that brought them together (life after life) or whether the real tragedy of the film lies the fact that their desire ensures their further engagement in the painful cycle of rebirth - I would like almost to take a Christian perspective on the whole issue and say that God pities both characters and that they are united in heaven, but it seems unlikely.

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Very interesting post! You have made me want to see the 1955 version even more. It sounds like that one is much more deep than the 2002 version. I would take the karma view, myself.



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