Cult Classic Returns: The Anti-Romantic Devdas: PVR INOX to Re-Release Cult Hit ‘Dev.D’ on April 24
New Delhi, April 4, 2026 — Fans of experimental Indian cinema have a major reason to rejoice. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap’s 2009 cult classic Dev.D is officially making its way back to the big screen. PVR INOX announced on Saturday that the acclaimed modern-day adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic novel Devdas will be re-released across its multiplexes on April 24.
The re-release is being brought to theatres by PVR INOX in association with Star Studio18, offering both old fans and a new generation of moviegoers a chance to experience the gritty, musical drama on the big screen.
A Modern Masterpiece
Originally released in February 2009, Dev.D completely shattered the traditional, romanticized image of the tragic hero previously portrayed by legends like Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan.
Set against the contemporary backdrops of Punjab and Delhi, the film stars Abhay Deol as Dev, a privileged and deeply flawed young man who plunges into self-destructive alcohol and drug addiction after a bitter fallout with his childhood sweetheart, Paro (played by Mahie Gill). He eventually crosses paths and forms an unexpected bond with Chanda (Kalki Koechlin), an escort grappling with her own emotional scars.
The film was a massive critical and commercial success, heavily bolstered by Amit Trivedi’s groundbreaking, National Award-winning soundtrack, featuring unforgettable tracks like Emosanal Attyachar and Pardesi.
Why Bring It Back?
Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX Limited, explained the decision behind the re-release, noting the film’s enduring impact on Indian cinema.
“We are constantly looking for definitive titles, films that have shifted something, and Dev.D is undoubtedly one of them,” Bijli stated in a press release. “It is a film meant for the big screen; the landscapes, the music, and the emotions all feel far more immersive when experienced in a cinema… Dev.D is an essential watch to understand the diversity of storytelling that Anurag Kashyap brings to his craft.”
Stripping Away the Romance
Director Anurag Kashyap reflected on his vision for the film ahead of its theatrical return, emphasizing his desire to showcase a painfully real, unlikable protagonist.
“The film was a provocation, taking a story steeped in nostalgia and tragic romance and thrusting it into the chaos of contemporary India,” Kashyap said. “This Dev isn’t a romantic hero. He’s entitled, impulsive, and often deeply unlikable. His self-destruction isn’t noble; it’s reckless.”
He also praised the reimagined female characters: “Paro is no longer just the waiting lover. She has agency, desire, and anger. And Chanda isn’t defined by sacrifice but by survival and reinvention. To see Dev.D return to the big screen feels special.”
Actor Abhay Deol, who originally conceived the idea for the contemporary spin, shared that he pitched it simply as a love story to Kashyap before dropping the Devdas twist. “My idea was to call out Devdas’ misogyny, and highlight the women’s resilience,” Deol revealed, calling the project a “personal triumph.”
