However, their social differences and family obligations created an chasm between them. Aarti was already engaged to a man from a wealthy family, a union her parents had arranged. Raj, on the other hand, came from a modest background, which made him feel inadequate in the eyes of Aarti's family.

The film’s most striking feature is its opulent visual language. Bhansali uses elaborate, custom-made sets to externalize the internal states of his characters.

"Devdas" is considered a classic of Indian cinema and is widely regarded as one of the best films of the 2000s. The film's influence can still be seen in many modern Indian films, and its music and dance numbers continue to be popular among audiences.