The Bengali novel Devdas has undeniably captivated the entire Indian subcontinent with its tragic love triangle, spawning numerous adaptations, but arguably 2002’s Devdas is one of the best ones. Co-writer and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali takes the classic tale and transforms it into a spectacular, well-crafted period drama musical that pleasures the eyes and hits all the right notes in all production aspects– the performances, the sets, the costumes, the camera, the lighting, the music, and the choreography– while still transcending the story with key changes that feel natural and effortless. Devdas is Bollywood and Bhansali at their finest, with its full three hours breezing through in pure splendor.

With a love triangle, it would have been easy for Devdas to stir hatred between Paro and Chandramukhi, especially since they never met in the original novel. The 2002 film version subverts this, starting with Paro blaming Chandramukhi for Devdas’ alcoholism, but continues with the two happily dancing with each other in a spectacular scene, and consistently acknowledging the ways in which Devdas, and plenty of the other characters, sabotage themselves in the name of status, riches, and society.