A slick and contemporary reimagining of an enduring classic, My Name Is Not Devdas brings together the participants of a skewed love triangle. But…
Devdas is NOT the tragic, misunderstood lover of yore; Paro is NOT the spurned woman who’d shut herself in; and Chandramukhi is NOT your next-door hooker with a heart of gold.
As each narrates their own version of events, a tale of half-truths emerges that swiftly boils to a crescendo with bruised egos, deadly obsessions and electrifying revelations. Turning a page is all the time you will get to catch your breath.
Aayush Gupta is an author-screenwriter who oscillates between Delhi and Mumbai depending upon the medium he’s working on at the moment. He’s done his M.A. in English Literature from Kirori Mal College, and B.A. (Hons) in Journalism from Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi. He's also trained as a Santoor instrumentalist under Pt. S.N. Sopori, and is a Sangeet Prabhakar from the Prayag Sangeet Samiti.
His debut novel Toppers, a YA political thriller, was published by Penguin Random House India in 2016. Since then, he’s been a part of writers’ rooms in Eros, Zee, and Yash Raj Films. He's written over 25 episodes of Sony's iconic cop series, CID, and is the writer of Yash Raj Films' The Railway Men , a show centred around the Bhopal Gas Leak. He’s produced and presented shows for All India Radio’s External Services and National channels.
Under his own banner, Guddi Productions, he has directed and co-produced non-fiction series for India's public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati on Indian Handicrafts and Rural Innovations, as well as documentaries for organisations like Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti, NCERT, and Directorate General of Home Guards.
My Name Is Not Devdas is his second novel, a darkly subversive contemporary retelling of Saratchandra Chattopadhyay’s Devdas.
The title and the cover of this book had me curious from the very moment I laid my eyes on it. I have not read Saratchandra's 'Devdas' but I have watched the very famous adaptation of it by Bhansali. I loved the story, of course, and it hasn't left me to this date. So, when I spotted this 21st century re-telling, I knew that I had to read it. To my surprise, this book is a mere 152-page read! And that I think is both good and bad. It's good because it showcases the author's skills of storytelling with three very engaging characters. There is Dev, the son of an erudite, who believes in feminism and marxist ideologies. He is a part of major protests, marches in his university (in Delhi). And then there's Paro, or what she's been called by Dev's father after being adopted from an impoverished Haryanvi family. She is ambitious, motivated to pursue life at its face value but also sickly in love with Dev. Finally, there's Chandramukhi from Kashmir, who's bumps in Paro at Jamia Millia Islamia outside the girl's hostel. By night, Chandramukhi visits the red light district in Delhi to fend for herself after her parents' tragic fate. In the time of increasing state violence, rage against gender assault, and the perils of student politics, Gupta's characters find themselves entangled in a messy web unable to find a way out of it. As connections are built, ideologies are deconstructed and emotions are thrown asunder, the lives of these characters await an inevitable climax. Now, the bad thing about the shortness of the text simply is that I did not want the story to end. Gupta's writing is fiery. It's filled with urgency and the desperation of the burnout the younger generation is undergoing because of the prevalent politics. It speaks so closely to the time we find ourselves in that the reader ends up wanting more. This is certainly a startling read and I would certainly recommend each one of you to get a copy for yourself because there's so much we are yet to learn from and do to make this world a better place. Thanks HarperCollins India for the review copy.
Are you a romance book lover or not a romance book admirer like me? Well, it would be a great relief if I can say I don't like romantic books and consequently love to skip old romantic classics. Honestly speaking I never liked Devdas before. But when I saw this book, I knew I was going to enjoy this beautiful book.
Author Ayush Gupta takes us to Delhi and Jamia Milia college with Devdas and Paro. Today's Delhi and its politically catastrophic atmosphere is a canvas here to recreate Sharat Chandra's classic, nostalgic, Devdas. What a brilliant, refreshing thought! Who would have thought that if Devdas could be written in this era how would it be? Is it possible that Devdas could be a Marxist?! This Devdas simply took my heart away. Paro swayed me with her and Chandramukhi made me cry out. What happened to them if you want to know then read it.
Every character felt so real. The author didn't make them with only words but put flesh and blood and make them adaptable for this generation.
The narration is so crispy and poetic, making it a delightful read for today's readers. Ayush's writing style truly complimented the classic Devdas. He masterly throws his words and sarcastically depicted social conjecture about everything under the sun.
Ayush Gupta incredible writer, brilliant with his savage take on this retelling. This is the best retelling of old classics. I have nothing but love for this book brave enough to speak out. The best tribute to one of the greatest authors, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Savage when creating twists and compassion when creating love sequences, he blended them gradually. The author intimated with every character with so much intensity that makes it an interesting read.
Only have one objection, I didn't like this cover.
You have read many retellings/reimaginations I believe by very few as striking as this one. In a blatant modern, relevant representation the author brings to us Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyays erstwhile Devdas! As a bengali, I hold the original one close to my heart and read the book with great critic- and I liked it, honestly! . We see here Dev, son of an educated man with sins not known tho, Dev is a core marxist and has ideals that leads him to be an activist. Dev s father adopted a harynavi girl - Paro, who has only looked at Dev in a romantically inclined way. Then there is Chandramukhi, a true representation of today s free spirited woman who has to fend for herself, even if it be in the red light areas of Delhi at night. . All three are caught in this myriad generation of play of power in different strata s of the society, thrown in are mix of politics, corruption, and raw human emotions! . The characters will come out distinct to you and have similarities to those originally written but fit in perfectly with the scenario they are now put in! . A fast paced short 155 read but definitely one you cant miss!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What does the name Devdas remind you of? A classic — novel, theatre piece, movie. There had been multiple versions and re-imaginings of the same story, by different writers and directors. How would Devdas be if he is living in 2023 in Delhi, so are Paro and Chandramukhi, in today’s world is depicted by the author in this book.
Professor Narayan Mukherjee volunteers to sponsor the studies of Paro, who hailed from a financially backward family from Haryana, who earned their livelihood from making stools. He moves along with his son Dev and Paro to Kolkata, however, is soon forced to relocate to Delhi following an unexpected controversy.
Dev believes he is a feminist and is woke, keeps oscillating between being a leftist and right wing sympathiser, meets his friend Chunni lal first at a CAA agitation and later at a pride parade. Dev always had a love-hate relationship with Paro and though Paro confessed her love for Dev, he believes they shouldn’t get married as they both are upper caste Brahmins.
Paro is from a big family who value their pride and honor more than their kids’ life. Paro though aspires to be an entrepreneur. Chandramukhi has taken shelter in Paharganj after fleeing Kashmir, following the arrest of her father as a suspected extremist.
After Paro and Chandramukhi join the same college in Delhi, Chandramukhi starts searching for her father who is now holed in some jail in Delhi and for her mother who has been missing for many years.
As the lives of these three young minds cross in contemporary India, what adventures and tragedies await them, form the rest of the story.
While the names of the main characters match, there is nothing else similar between the classic and this story, in terms of storyline or character dynamics. Each chapter is narrated from the point of view of the three main characters hence alternating between how they perceive situations around them.
The author has given a total creative spin to the story while including many contemporary topics, especially those happening in colleges and universities. The story has total shock value as every sequence is written in totally unexpected manner.
The underlying message conveyed by the author is hard-hitting. There is a certain adrenaline rush and tension through out the book though it’s not a thriller or a action oriented story.
The story begins on a very interesting note and the way the author designed the characters, their backdrops is equally enticing. However, some sequences feel rushed and the characters could have been developed better as by the end of the book I felt they did not reach the potential they showed at the beginning.
If you prefer reading unique and contemporary stories then pick this one, for the sheer creative excellence of the author.
"My Name Is Not Devdas" is a unique tale that offers a fresh take on the classic story of Devdas, Paro, and Chandramukhi. Set in Delhi, the book provides a glimpse into campus rivalry and politics, sometimes funny and sometimes tragic. The characters are incredibly relatable to contemporary India, and the portrayal of their struggles through intense human emotions is both nuanced and moving.
At its core, the book is a story about bruised egos, frame-ups, and quaint obsessions. The characters are placed in the contemporary age, and the author has retold the story with a modern Indian twist. The experiences caught among lies, politics, corruption, and heartache provide a dark reflection of society, highlighting the stark contrast in ideologies and the conflicts that ensue.
The plotline weaves the thought processes of Marxism, feminism, and nationalism together in the most vivid manner. The author has expertly blended classic chords and the complex power dynamics of present society, offering a fresh perspective on the beloved story that has been told and retold for decades.
Dev, Paro, and Chandramukhi's personalities are quite different from the original story, which gives the book the desired kick. Dev is a Marxist who holds principles that motivate him to become a reformer, challenging the status quo. Paro is not the typical beloved who is rejected by her lover and withdraws from the world. Instead, she asserts herself and fights for what she wants. Chandramukhi is not the stereotypical prostitute who is kind-hearted. Instead, she is portrayed as a complex character who makes tough choices that challenge societal norms.
The story deals with key elements such as student politics, outrage over gender-biased assault, and corruption. Dishonesty and desire are the prime driving forces in the book, and the characters' tough choices lead to a shocking revelation.
The writing style is elegant and crispy, immersing readers in the rich details of the current scenario. The wit and word-play are appreciated, making it a pacy and thought-provoking read. The book is perfect for the young generation seeking to explore the complexities of identity and relationships. It's a slim and stunning book that can be enjoyed as a weekend read, offering a glimpse into the challenges faced by the millennial generation.
This book is based on the ever-classic movie 'Devdas' set in the contemporary world.
In a parallel universe, there exists a Paro, Devdas and Chandramukhi, trapped in a twisted love triangle, living in a world of half-lies, bruised egos and obsessions. In contrast to the movie, this book is set in modern Delhi amidst student politics, burning protests, marches, and divided ideologies. Paro and Chandramukhi share much in common though their worlds are poles apart. They both are law students in Jamia Milia Islamia; both grew up without parents under the care of the professor; both pursued the same man and were scarred permanently by the man they loved.
Unlike shah rukh khan, Dev here isn't a hopeless romantic who wasted his life away in memory of his loving Paro. Dev is a feminist who follows Marxist ideas but screws up his own ideologies with his impulsive decisions. Though Dev did not live in castles like our very own hero did, he managed to receive Paro and Chandramukhi's love in abundance. But did Dev somehow manage to destroy himself, if not by lovesickness? Well, go ahead and read this book to know.
From the first page, I knew this book would be excellent with its slick and flawless writing. I got merged with Paro's and Chandramukhi's worlds and felt every emotion of theirs as my own. I was able to relate to all the circumstances and the characters. Paro and Chandramukhi were both strong and independent women who were lovelorn and got blind-sighted temporarily, but they did stand up for justice in the end. I couldn't stop thinking about Chandramukhi and her mother and the struggles they had to go through to live in a biased society.
Paro is the protagonist that our society needs but doesn't deserve. She was fierce, ambitious and straightforward. The chapters were all narrated in first-person voice with POVs of Dev, Chandramukhi and Paro and that made it easy for me to connect with the characters and the plot.
It's very inspiring when authors execute brilliant writing in such short books; like the book is only 150 pages long, yet it kept me hooked from start to end. As much as its cover and title, the retelling of the classic is much more quirky and candid. Pick this book if you love to read something that is different and stands out from the crowd that will make you mull over it for a long.
What a classic adaptation of the legendary “Devdas”! You can smell the sweat of Dev’s frustration, Paro’s consciousness and Chandramukhi’s hopeless love while sailing through Aayush Gupta’s savage words.
Initially, I totally was ingrained by the title of this book. I thought it would be an anti-Devdas type of romance novel. To some extent, I was even right. But after reading, there was something else on the platter. Whole generative prospect stares on with the look of outraged disbelief. Author has just painted the dimensions of literary art work with the antique play on a different dimension itself.
Obviously, the story revolves around three super-famous characters i.e. Devdas, Paro and Chandramukhi. But oh my my! The twists and the variations are presented at the drop of a giant hat.
You will surely see Devdas in his most vulnerable forms, where he is not only caught with a junkie panorama, but also tries his level best to get comments by everyone for his heinous acts.
Paro, an epitome of grace and madly in love, is shown as the bravest and realistic of all in the story. A lonesome journey of her childhood and the life of misery she is carrying with herself are encapsulated in mere mild ways.
And no doubt, you will be amazed by Chandramukhi’s crispy story of her past and future plans. She is not a regular woman here who can be fooled by tie wearing human-beings. She recorded everything so vividly, just to dispiritedly fall in love with the least expected person.
I am highly impressed by the kind of words and sarcastic selection of moments the author has used. His ways of explaining the story, the in-depth moral behind the cause, the uncalled-comments on the societal prospects and of course, the dare to mold the fabled masterpiece in his own originals are just a few appreciative phrases for writing this book. He has done a tremendous recreation with Delhi’s quantum life.
I totally recommend this book to the classic lovers, who want to wander around the old storyline with new twists.
Whenever our friends get heartbreak and rant about their broken hearts with a glass of liquid substance that causes numbness to the brain and whining to the tongue, we all have one typical dialogue, “Don’t behave like Devdas!” Devdas is not just a name; it holds many emotions, societal prejudice, and judgments. “Ayush Gupta” gave a new story and perspective to this epic classic in his book, “My name is not Devdas,” and the best part is that Devdas, Paro, and Chandarmukhi are not the protagonist, the millions of young ones webbed in the hopeless love and college politics are the protagonist of this story. Set in a Delhi college, the book tells the story of three protagonists dealing with identity crises, caste, gender discrimination, college politics that feel like a warzone, heartbreaks, and scared egos. Dev is a Marxist who believes in equality; Paro was adopted by a Haryanvi family and is hopelessly in love with Dev and Chandarmukhi from Kashmir, following the lead of her parent’s death in Delhi. How politics trap youngsters in its hypocritical agendas and pushes them to be opportunists, which results in a self-destructive nature in young ones, is excellently portrayed through the long-suffering characters of the story.
I love the book’s narrative, as every character has a voice that is very difficult to find in the contemporary and opinionated era. In Saraswati Chandra’s Devdas, characters suffer from societal prejudices and conflicts. However, Ayush Gupta leaps and fills the gap in this book and shows the characters’ internal conflict with their beliefs, identity, and morals instilled from birth. In my opinion, this book is about finding our identity between the chaos of religion, politics, and ideologies and choosing wisely what is wrong and right with awake.
Reimagining classics and setting them in current times is a wonderful way to go for any book. The essence of the original story with the present setting usually makes for an interesting read. My Name is not Devdas attempts to do just this. The concept of the book is good, and Aayush manages to bring the idea of the original into the book, however the context he sets the story in does not completely work for me. The story starts on an interesting note, and the form of storytelling he uses to give each character their own voice is quite gripping. Aayush has presented societal issues through his characters and subtly comments on them. The thing that did not work for me was the fact that his message couldn’t get across completely. Another aspect that could have been improved was the detailing in the story because I felt that the author moved too quickly and did not do complete justice to the story.
The characters have been inspired from the original, and Aayush has retained the basic nature of Devdas, Paro and Chandramukhi, but given them a modern twist. From a girl with modest background to a student of Delhi University, both the female characters are interestingly crafted and they are painted as powerful women in their own rights. Devdas as a character is crafted nicely, however I felt that as the titular character he could have had a better role in the narrative.
Aayush Gupta’s My Name Is Not Devdas is a 360° twist to the Saratchandra’s classic. This re-telling is savage and real, describing the crude realities of life.
Devdas, Paro and Chandramukhi are the three prime characters, each cursed with a life they wish to escape but get trapped into a greater mess leading to unfortunate consequences. The woke son of a scholar, the adopted sister of this son and a girl who runs to save her life from being trapped into the mayhem reserved for who are abandoned and homeless.
This premise is a clever narration of today’s reality. One that is created by manipulation and domination. Media. Money. Identity. Fanaticism. Terrorism. Corruption. Greed. Longing. They determine the course of the characters’ actions and the plot, questioning the validity of ethics and their presence in today’s society.
Be it Devdas’ woke and vile actions, Paro and Chandramukhi’s suffering and grit to create and live a life of purpose and dignity this book is a journey of struggle with the world.
As a reader I’ve felt rage, hatred, sorrow, recognition, shame and faint hope, perhaps, it’s the “too real” situations that are narrated. Loved the clever and gripping concept. This book impressive because it delivers a lot in a mere 155 pages, a genius play of words.
Verdict: Read it, because this fiction mirrors life and factors that rule it.
What made me immediately pick up the book? It's title. I've hardly read classic retellings because it's a genre I'm a little awry of. But the quirky cover and the classic retelling of the ever famous Devdas had to be explored. And I'm so glad I did.
The book is a contemporary 21st Century perspective of the love triangle between Dev, Paro and Chandramukhi. The trio were revered and loved in Indian literature and cinematography. However the trio established by @aayush.03 are completely different from the original ones. And a lot more tactful and sagacious.
Delhi being the main set for the story of half truths and chaos to unfurl. With politics and recent social movements in the highlight, the book provides a practical take into the real campus lives of the students. Not everyone can be kept untagled from the web of mayhem, just like it's for Dev with a feminist and Marxist ideology, Paro who has been adopted by Dev's father and now finds herself in love with Dev, and at last Chandramukhi- a college student who also has to take out the option of working at Red Light Area in order to survive. These unusual pair comes together to portray the politics present in modern India.
🎭 DEVDAS - PARO - CHANDRAMUKHI !! How many of you heard of these names !? A handful of you might have picturing Sharukh Khan and a lot of alcohol, right !! I got you there.
🎭What if I tell you this book is somehow inspired by those characters but only for namesake. The story here is set in modern times Delhi, featuring students, revolution, love, chaos, philosophy and plots.
🎭The books can be described as a reimagining of the tale, filling the gaps in between the classic take to produce a experimented new one which fits perfectly to the current times.
📌It's a short read with over 100 pages with a first person narration. The author has done an impressive job while showing his creative side in filling the gaps and creating new plots. If you're looking to try something different then this might be a good fit for you.
Devdas! (Did SRK drinking alcohol strike your mind?)
Now imagine that Devdas from 2002 to current day, current scenario!
Devdas who is a feminist, and a Marxist ideal Paro who is ambitious, and a fool in love with Devdas who is not a hooker with a good heart
Imagine this combination in a retelling with a hooking plot and an engaging storyline where the characters ride you through a rollercoaster of emotions.
The book is set in current day political scenario where these three classic characters are used to depict today's Delhi and the conspiracy filled with politics. The campus life of students, the dramatic turns of event narrated smoothly by the author, and the engrossing incidents tangles the lives of these people make it one of a kind reading experience. The writing style throughout is crisp and thoughtful. The readers are captivated right from the first page.
Overall a gripping short read you will love if you like political fiction with a fast paced storyline and an engaging plot.
Who amongst you isn’t pretending to be something you’re not? Who amongst you doesn’t start believing it a little?
The one whose name is not Devdas is a troubled boy. He is lost and others have to face the wrath of his mislead youth. The one whose name is not Paro is naive and ambitious girl The one whose name is not Chandramukhi is a helpless desperate searching for answers
I will start with the parts I somewhat liked —
Some lines are satire on the dominantly patriarchical Indian society like references to rape and consent.
The irony of women not allowed in cremations because they are not tough enough to bear witness to dance of flesh and on the other hand made to bear the horrific pain of acid attack gave me chills
Now the not so good part:
Overall the storytelling felt missing. I felt the characters could have been given more depth and clarity from the start of the book and the flow of story was not clear to me.
I tried to follow the characters desperate to find sense and links in the story but could not succeed atleast not fully.
Do you like to read retellings? I haven't read many books in this category as most of the retelling would not do justice to the original work. It would be a disappointment as those books won't live up to expectations. So it is in fact a tough job to excel in this field.
I was really intrigued to know what this book has to offer. Devdas is one of the most famous works that most of us are already familiar with. Dev, Paro and Chandramukhi trio never fail to fulfil the reader's surmise. My Name is not Devdas, it is a modern adaptation of the classic and it is really interesting to note how these characters would be in the current era.
All the characters complimented each other. The narration was crisp and organised. The author did a tremendous job bringing forth this work. This book is a short read and we can complete it in a day or two.
re Devaaaaa…meets the Delhi University dichotomy. My Name is Not Devdas by Aayush Gupta is a retelling of the Bengali classic "Devdas" written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. . The book takes its place in the 21st century and tackles the current situation of youth culture and the concept of woke. The book starts with introducing the three characters Devdas,Paro and Chandramukhi.
The characters have their voices but feel a little separated from the narrative thus making the scenario enjoyable at one moment and at another trying to figure out what is actually going on.While Aayush talks about universities like JNU and Jamia, what I felt was the lack of clarity in portraying the ideology he had in mind. My name is not Devdas brings in a new thought,a good attempt at humour which I believe could have been much better
You might be very familiar with the movie DEVDAS hence here is a book in which there is a love triangle between Paro Chandramukhi and Dev,but it is the 21st century perspective and is totally different from the movie it has different twists and turns.
This book tells us the real struggle of the people and there lives and how they deal with it. It will give you sarrow,hatred and love and so many mixed emotions ❤️the concept is very unique and different the readers get hooked to it for 150+pages and i love it❤️it is a must read. .
The Author has very uniquely captured the original essence of the classic masterpiece while reimagining the masterpiece 115 years later in current times. This gripping story is based on the Delhi college campus and talks subtly about societal issues. The three unhappy protagonists of the story Devdas, Paro, and Chandramukhi get to tell their own version of the story. Read Full review here https://www.tuggunmommy.com/my-name-i...
This modern-day retelling of Devdas managed to impress me with the direct language and interesting views on society. The intertwining of the different character's perspectives was unique and engaging that kept my mind active and hooked to find what happens next. Read the whole review on my blog.
A really unique and different story. Not at all like those indian romance shitreads with the same love Stories. This one includes the bengal communism, castism, some taboo too. Would highly suggest to treat this.
evdas, your not so tragic lover or should I say modern day playboy, is nothing like the Devdas in its original counterpart. Paro and Chandramukhi incite angst and motivation in you and they are not meek women, who get married for revenge or try to save a depressed and drunk Devdas. The characters together spearhead emotions that bring out the complex relationships of the characters with themselves and those around them.
Their connection and camaraderie; especially of the girls in a Delhi hostel and college is outstanding. Devdas who wants to become a reformer, is often misunderstood because of his principles and ideologies. The love triangle, social and political issues, heartbreak amongst all the characters as they encounter harsh life truths, and are forced to make tough choices, make the end of the book more plausible.