Shah Rukh Khan is an actor who is not just loved in India but is revered all across the globe. He has given out several iconic characters and one such is Devdas. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial, which is based on a novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, starred SRK, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit in key roles.v

Shah Rukh’s portrayal of an alcoholic character left a lasting impact. Recently, he revealed that he said yes to the role, despite many veteran actors discouraging him. He just did it for the sake of his late mother, thinking she would enjoy it from heaven.

At the Locarno Film Festival, where he received the Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism award, he opened up about his career and movies.

During the conversation, he revealed that he felt anxious while filming Devdas and he turned to alcohol during the process. On being asked whether it helped him ace the role, he said, “It might have helped, but I started drinking after the film and that’s one downside to it. Well, I got the Best Actor award.”

He also explained that he didn’t want the audience to feel love for his character. Shah Rukh said, “Nor did I want you to like him for being an alcoholic who runs away from every girl that he falls in love with. I just wanted him to appear indescribable.”

Devdas also featured Kirron Kher, Jackie Shroff, Smita Jaykar, Tiku Talsania and Milind Gunaji among others.