Shah Rukh Khan’s Devdas Truths: From Real-Life Drinking to a Honey-Soaked Climax Scene

As Devdas returns to theatres, rare behind-the-scenes revelations reveal how far Shah Rukh Khan went to make Devdas’s pain look heartbreakingly real.

More than two decades after its original release, Devdas is once again back in the spotlight as it prepares for a theatrical re-release in February 2026. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial remains one of the most iconic films in Shah Rukh Khan’s career, and recent reflections by the actor have revealed just how deeply the role affected him — both on and off screen. Shah Rukh has candidly shared that while playing the emotionally shattered Devdas, he began consuming alcohol to better understand the character’s mindset.

What started as a way to internalise Devdas’s despair slowly turned into a habit that stayed with him even after the shoot ended. The actor has admitted that while the role brought him immense acclaim, including major awards and critical praise, it also came with personal consequences that he had to consciously move past later in life.

Adding to these revelations is a striking behind-the-scenes detail from the film’s unforgettable climax. During the death sequence, where Devdas lies helpless outside Paro’s mansion, Shah Rukh Khan reportedly took an unconventional approach to enhance realism. On the set, he requested honey and applied it to his face so that flies would gather naturally, giving the scene a more raw and unsettling authenticity. The idea, which surprised the crew at the time, reflected the actor’s instinctive commitment to visual storytelling. Those who worked closely on the film have since spoken about how Shah Rukh constantly looked for small but powerful ways to elevate scenes beyond what was written on paper.

Devdas, adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic novel, also starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit in career-defining roles. The film became a landmark in Hindi cinema for its opulent sets, haunting music, and emotionally intense performances. As audiences prepare to experience the tragedy on the big screen once again, these lesser-known stories serve as a reminder that Devdas was not just a performance, but a role that demanded emotional, physical, and creative surrender from its lead actor — a commitment that still resonates years later.

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