Next, diamond merchant and film financier Bharat Shah's untimely arrest set the film's fate in doldrums. Devdas went over budget and landed in a huge financial mess that was carefully sorted out by the determined Bhansali.

Owing to its universally accepted theme, Devdas has been made in nine different languages including two Hindi versions. Film maker P C Barua's version starring K L Saigal, Jamuna, Rajkumari and Bimal Roy's epic starring Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala Bali, Suchitra Sen released in 1935 and 1955 respectively.

This richly woven tragic tale of love and its repercussions on the lives of three fascinating characters will be screened at the prestigious 2002 Cannes Film Festival in the out of competition category.

Devdas is expected to hit the marquee June 14, 2002.