This film’s shoot got halted, producer arrested, and designers left scrambling for their pay, movie name is…, actors are…

While audiences remember Devdas for its grandeur and stellar performances, the journey behind the scenes was far from smooth. Designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who were responsible for the film’s iconic costumes, describe their experience as a “nightmare.”

Abu Jani revealed in an interview with Namrata Zakaria, “When I started working in the industry, it was very unprofessional. Payments were delayed; schedules were terrible. The hero had a central role, and you had to keep the costume ready for the next sequence as soon as they finished shooting. Over time, things got better, but working on Devdas was a nightmare.”

How did Sandeep Khosla view the experience?

Despite the chaos, Sandeep Khosla praised director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “For me, Bhansali is a genius. The beauty is that he respected Abu and me and gave us complete freedom to design for Madhuri, Jackie, and Shah Rukh. Thankfully, we had script-bound guidance and had made most costumes in advance. Unfortunately, the producer went to jail mid-way through filming.”

The producer in question, Bharat Shah, was arrested in 2001 over alleged underworld connections. Sandeep added, “As a result, we didn’t get paid for some of our work. We were still making costumes; for instance, the ‘Dola Re’ sequence was shot much later. Abu had sketched it, and some beautiful chikankari outfits were made at the last minute. No regrets, though—it won a National Award.”

Were there warnings to stop the film?

In a past interview with Wild Films India(BHARAT), Bhansali admitted facing warnings to halt production. “People said this film was unlucky, bringing bad vibes. They told me to stop it as it would incur losses. There were set fires, Bharat Shah was in trouble, I was in trouble, even Shah Rukh was troubled,” he said.

Despite the hurdles, Bhansali stayed determined. “We were all stressed. Nothing comes easy in life. You have to work hard. Perhaps it was a bad time, a test of how long we could sustain our passion.”

Did their efforts pay off?

Yes. Despite the turbulence, Devdas became a global blockbuster, proving that perseverance, creativity, and dedication can overcome even the most chaotic of shoots.

Highlights:

1. Abu Jani called working on Devdas a “nightmare” due to delays and chaotic schedules.
2. Producer Bharat Shah’s arrest during filming caused financial and logistical issues for the costume team.
3. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s perseverance turned a troubled shoot into a global cinematic success.