Devdas vs Company: When Bollywood’s Grandeur Met Grit in 2002’s Cinematic Duel
The year 2002 marked a defining moment in Bollywood history with two contrasting cinematic masterpieces — Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas and Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. While Devdas dazzled audiences with grandeur, romance, and visual opulence, Company impressed with its raw realism and gripping portrayal of the Mumbai underworld. Both films, though vastly different in tone and texture, reshaped the boundaries of Indian cinema and showcased the diverse creative visions thriving in the industry at the time.
Rachna Das 
The year 2002 remains unforgettable in Bollywood’s timeline, witnessing the clash of two distinct cinematic visions — Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas and Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. While both films were critically acclaimed, they stood at opposite ends of the creative spectrum, showcasing the sheer diversity of Indian cinema.
Devdas, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, was a celebration of grandeur, emotion, and visual splendor. Bhansali transformed the classic tale into a feast for the senses, combining poetic storytelling, majestic sets, and timeless music that captivated audiences across the world. In contrast, Company, featuring Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi, was a stark, realistic portrayal of Mumbai’s underworld — raw, intense, and stripped of glamour.
While Devdas represented Bollywood’s artistic opulence, Company ushered in a new era of gritty, modern filmmaking. Together, they defined 2002 as a year where Bollywood’s beauty and brutality stood side by side, proving that the industry could excel in both emotional extravagance and grounded realism. Even today, these two films remain cultural touchstones, symbolizing the dual heartbeat of Indian cinema — one that dreams, and one that dares.
