"It's not only Devdas," explains director Sudhir Mishra. "Devdas is just the takeoff point. Like if you see Westside Story it's directly linked to Romeo & Juliet. In my film from Devdas I also go into Shakespeare's Hamlet.
I feel when Saratchandra wote Devdas in 1901 he must have had Hamlet in mind. The protagonists are very similar. I'm putting both the tragic hero's into a modern context and political leaning. It would be dramatic debate on Devdas, Hamlet and Indian politics.
Chandramukhi will be portrayed as a keeper of dark political secrets while Paro will be a part of an opposing political party."
Sudhir has always had very strong political leanings. "All my films have a strong political base. I'm seeing Hamlet and Devdas as take-off points for a political drama set in present times."
Sudhir Mishra and his regular writer Joydeep Sarkar are preparing the screenplay. "I want to re-interpret the love story of Devdas and Paro into a modern political context."
The idea was born out of a conversation with producer Pritish Nandy. "He suggested I re-do Devdas. I thought about it. And now we're both damn excited."
Sudhir's favourite hero Shiney Ahuja who has been part of the director's much-celebrated Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi and the just-completed Khoya-Khoya Chand will play the protagonist