In his debut collaboration with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the 2002 masterpiece, Devdas, Shah Rukh Khan immersed himself into the role of a tragic alcoholic. To bring authenticity to his portrayal, Shah Rukh took to actually consuming alcohol during certain scenes, believing it essential for the character’s realism. This detail was shared by his co-star Tiku Talsania, who played Dharamdas in the film, in a conversation with Digital Commentary.
Tiku recounted an incident during filming under the intense afternoon sun, where Shah Rukh was seen consuming rum successively. Expressing concern, Tiku questioned his actions, to which Shah Rukh responded, “‘Sir, acting will be managed. But if my eyes don’t show inebriation, what then?’”
Praising Shah Rukh for his dedication, Tiku highlighted the importance of the character’s eyes reflecting the influence of alcohol, especially for a role like Devdas, known for his descent into alcoholism. Tiku termed Shah Rukh a “genius” for the immense effort he put into embodying his character, noting how Shah Rukh often arrived on set with a personal vision for his scenes, despite Bhansali’s direction.
Additionally, Milind Gunaji, another Devdas co-star, shared a poignant memory of Shah Rukh’s compassion. During the film’s production, Milind experienced the loss of his father. He recalled Shah Rukh’s supportiveness during this difficult period, offering to halt production to provide comfort. Milind described Shah Rukh as a “gentleman and a nice person,” who, along with Bhansali, assured him that halting the shoot would not be an issue if needed.
