Dhallywood star Shakib Khan has expressed his desire to play Devdas once again, saying he could not give the character his best during the first attempt because of his busy schedule.
Shakib played the iconic character in director Chashi Nazrul Islam’s Devdas, based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s timeless novel of the same name.
Released in 2013, the film earned praise from both audiences and critics, with Shakib’s portrayal becoming a major talking point at the time.
Speaking to journalist Abdur Rahman on a special programme on Channel i, Shakib admitted that he now feels he could have done more with the role had he been able to devote more time to it.
“Getting the opportunity to act in a film like Devdas is a matter of luck for any actor. I was extremely busy at the time and used to work on several films simultaneously. Now I feel that if I get the opportunity, I would like to play Devdas again. The character is so beautiful that no artist can ever feel completely satisfied with it,” he said.
The actor also reflected critically on his earlier work.
He said that if he had been able to spend as much time on Devdas as he does on his films today, he could have brought greater depth to the character.
Shakib was also candid when asked to compare his portrayal with those of legendary actors Bulbul Ahmed and Shah Rukh Khan, who have previously played Devdas.
He placed his own performance behind the portrayals of the two acclaimed actors.
While Devdas is known as a tragic and heartbroken character, Shakib said his real-life personality is quite different.
“No, no. In my personal life, I like to live beautifully. I want to spend my days with laughter and happiness,” he said with a smile.
In Chashi Nazrul Islam’s Devdas, Apu Biswas played Parvati opposite Shakib, while Moushumi portrayed Chandramukhi.
When asked whom he would like to see in the central female roles if he gets the chance to remake or revisit Devdas, Shakib did not name anyone.
“Time will answer those questions,” he said.
Shakib Khan reflects on past mistakes
During the conversation, Shakib also opened up about his personal life and admitted that he has made many mistakes over the years.
“I have made many mistakes. Sometimes I feel I could have avoided some of them. Many times, people find out things before I even get the chance to say them. They don’t have to wait for me to speak. Looking back, I sometimes regret some of the things I have said,” he said.
Asked why those mistakes happened, Shakib attributed them to fate.
“That is fate. If I hadn’t made those mistakes, perhaps things would have been smoother now. But everyone makes mistakes,” he said.
The actor added that he sometimes finds himself thinking about his past when he is alone.
“When I sit with myself in solitude, these calculations and regrets trouble me. But what can I do? Even if we want to, we cannot change many things because they are beyond our control. But once you realise something was a mistake, you cannot knowingly repeat it, and there is no possibility of doing so,” he said.
Shakib was also asked about his two former wives, Apu Biswas and Shobnom Bubly.
“They are both a part of my life. But I don’t want to say anything about them. I keep these matters to myself,” he said.
Asked whether he gives them any advice when they meet, Shakib said he sometimes cautions them.
“I do tell them things, but what they do or say afterwards is their matter,” he said.
The actor also addressed the exaggerated reports about him that frequently circulate on social media.
According to Shakib, stories about him are sometimes published even before an event actually happens, while his name is also linked to incidents with which he has no connection.
Despite the controversies surrounding his personal life, Shakib said he prefers to keep certain matters private and focus on his work and life ahead.
