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Why Richa Chadda and Aditi Rao are apt for Devdas

Sudhir Mishra stunned everyone by picking Rahul Bhatt to play Devdas in a new film that will be yet another in a long line of homage to Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s enduring, if troubled hero. Now, we hear that the silver-haired director has also found his Paro and Chandramukhi in Richa Chadda and Aditi Rao Hydari respectively. In doing so, Mishra has overlooked his old favourite Chitrangadha Singh, and some say, even Lara Dutta and Kajal Aggarwal whose names were popped up.
A source, explaining Sudhir’s decision to opt for Richa and Aditi, said, “Richa fits the bill as far as the requirements for Paro went. He wanted someone fiery yet dignified. And, having worked with Aditi in Yeh Saali Zindagi, Sudhir was aware that she is a trained Indian classical dancer and would be perfect for Chandramukhi. It seems he has a particular personality and look in mind for both roles.”
From what we hear, this new Devdas will be more Shakespearean in spirit than Bengali. The last attempt at a Bollywood reinterpretation of Devdas was by Mishra’s old friend, Anurag Kashyap. That was five years ago and the film was Dev.D. As you read this, Sudhir is directing Anurag in Pyaas, his upcoming political thriller.
Wonder if Anurag has something special to say to Sudhir, given his own Devdas experience.