It’s early morning on March 12, 2025, and Bollywood fans are buzzing about a throwback story that’s making waves again. Over two decades ago, Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic film Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, didn’t just break box office records—it turned Mumbai upside down. Weddings got delayed, and the city faced a strange shortage, all because of this larger-than-life movie. Let’s dive into how this cinematic masterpiece shook things up and left a lasting mark on Bollywood and the hospitality world.
A Grand Vision That Changed Everything
Cinematographer Binod Pradhan recently shared some jaw-dropping details with Friday Talkies. He described a nearly 1-kilometer-long set for Chandramukhi’s kotha—a lavish courtesan’s quarters—built right in Mumbai. “We were shocked seeing the set come together,” Pradhan said, recalling how the crew took their time, shooting just 3-4 shots a day compared to the usual 15-20. This slow pace and huge setup caused a ripple effect across the city.
Weddings on Hold, Supplies Running Low
The sheer size of the Devdas production didn’t just take up space—it took over Mumbai’s wedding scene. Back in 2001, the film’s demand for resources was so high that hundreds of weddings had to be postponed. Here’s how it went down:
- Venue Chaos: The sets took over prime locations, leaving wedding planners scrambling to find new spots during peak season.
- Resource Shortage: Devdas needed so many workers, decorators, and materials that Mumbai faced a city-wide shortage of flowers, lights, and even laborers for wedding setups.
- Financial Strain: Bhansali ran out of money midway, slowing production and stretching the chaos over months, which frustrated wedding vendors waiting to get back to business.
This wasn’t just a small hiccup—Mumbai’s wedding industry, a lifeline for many local businesses, took a real hit. Couples had to push their big day, and vendors felt the pinch as bookings dried up.
A Blockbuster That Made History
Despite the chaos, Devdas turned out to be a massive win. After a glitzy premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002, it raked in ₹168 crore worldwide, becoming a global blockbuster. Fans loved its grand sets, soulful music, and powerful performances. The movie bagged 11 Filmfare Awards, including Best Film, and even got a BAFTA nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
What It Meant for Mumbai’s Hospitality Scene
The Devdas saga didn’t just shake up weddings—it left a mark on Mumbai’s hospitality world too. Hotels, decorators, and caterers tied to the wedding industry felt the strain, but the film also brought a spotlight to the city. Here’s how it played out:
- Economic Ripple: Wedding venues and hotels lost business during the production, as couples delayed plans or moved events out of Mumbai.
- Tourism Boost: Post-release, Devdas drew global attention to Mumbai, with fans visiting to see where the magic happened, giving a long-term lift to local hotels and tour operators.
- Cultural Impact: The film’s grandeur inspired a wave of Bollywood-themed weddings, with couples wanting Devdas-style decor, which later became a trend in hospitality.
This mix of chaos and opportunity showed how a single film could ripple through an entire city’s economy, especially in a hub like Mumbai where hospitality and events are big business.
A Legacy That Still Shines
Even today, Devdas holds a special place in Bollywood history. Shah Rukh Khan’s raw portrayal of a man drowning in love and despair, paired with Aishwarya and Madhuri’s stunning roles, keeps fans coming back. The movie’s music—like Dola Re Dola—still plays at celebrations, and its iconic dialogues are quoted everywhere. In 2010, Empire magazine listed it among the “100 best films of world cinema,” a nod to its global impact.
Reflecting on the madness, Binod Pradhan said he’ll always respect Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s conviction. “The scale was insane, but it let us have fun with the shots and lighting,” he shared. That passion turned Devdas into a timeless piece of art, even if it meant Mumbai had to wait a little longer for its wedding bells to ring again. As we look back on this epic tale, it’s clear Devdas wasn’t just a film—it was a phenomenon that reshaped Bollywood and Mumbai in ways we’re still talking about in 2025.