Dananeer Mobeen has stirred a debate on social media after calling Devdas an “overrated” film during a recent interview.
The cult romantic drama, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit, is widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s most visually grand and emotionally intense films. Released in 2002, the movie became a massive commercial and critical success, both in India and overseas.
However, Dananeer’s recent comments about the film’s story and themes have triggered mixed reactions online.
What Dananeer Mobeen Said About Devdas
During a conversation with Mashion, Dananeer was asked to name a classic film that she personally considers overrated. The actor immediately chose Devdas and questioned the film’s core narrative.
“What is the story? There’s an alcoholic, there’s a woman who has no self-respect, there’s a dad who is a (beep sound), and there is another woman who is forced upon the man… what is happening and why is it a classic?” she said.
She further added that while she appreciated the film’s visual appeal, she struggled to understand the emotional glorification attached to it.
“I get the sets, the grandeur, outfits, but the story? Why are we glamorising alcoholism?” Dananeer said.
Her remarks quickly went viral across social media platforms, especially on Reddit and X, where users began debating whether the criticism was justified.
Internet Divided Over Dananeer’s Criticism
Several users defended Devdas and argued that the film’s deeper themes were misunderstood in the viral clip.
One Reddit user wrote that Devdas was not merely a story about alcoholism, but also a commentary on ego, class divide and emotional destruction.
“Devdas at its core is a story that questions social classism and the fragile nature of human ego. While Bhansali’s version focused heavily on scale and aesthetics, those themes were still present,” the user commented.
Another user pointed out that the movie never actually glorified alcohol addiction because the protagonist’s life ultimately ends in tragedy.
“If the movie truly glamorised alcoholism, Devdas would have lived happily ever after. The entire story is built around emotional self-destruction,” another comment read.
Some users, however, agreed with Dananeer’s take and felt the film’s lavish presentation often overshadowed the emotional depth of the story.
Why Devdas Became A Bollywood Landmark
Devdas was adapted from Devdas, the iconic Bengali novel written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.
The film followed the tragic love story of Devdas and Paro, set against themes of societal pressure, pride, heartbreak and emotional decline.
At the time of its release, Devdas was among the most expensive Indian films ever made. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received international attention for its elaborate production design, music and performances.
Songs like “Dola Re Dola”, “Maar Dala” and “Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka” continue to remain popular even years after the film’s release.
The film is still considered one of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s defining works and remains a major reference point in discussions around Bollywood’s grand cinematic storytelling.