Filmmaker's Son Reveals Bengali 'Devdas' Beat Bollywood Blockbuster

Shakti Samanta's 2002 Bengali film, 'Debdas', is being highlighted on his 100th birth anniversary. His son, Ashim Samanta, revealed that the film's final reels were superior to the grander Hindi production. Despite being made on a significantly smaller budget, the Bengali 'Debdas' offered a compelling narrative in its latter half.

However, 'Debdas' faced stiff competition. Its release coincided with the FIFA World Cup, which garnered immense attention in Bengal. Additionally, the Hindi 'Devdas', directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, was released shortly after, impacting the Bengali film's viewership. Ashim Samanta noted that while the initial part of the film felt dated, the concluding reels were exceptional.