During a recent appearance at the Locarno Film Festival, Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan reflected on his portrayal of an alcoholic in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 hit Devdas.

The actor revealed that he employed method acting techniques for the role, which had both positive and negative consequences.

Khan admitted that he began drinking to embody the character, and while this approach helped him win the Best Actor award the following year, it also adversely affected his health.

“It might have helped, but I started drinking after the film, and that’s one downside to it,” he stated.

Further discussing his interpretation of the iconic character, originally created by Bengali novelist Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1917, Khan expressed his desire for the audience to have a complex reaction.

“I didn’t want you to feel love for him, but I didn’t want you to hate him either. I aimed for him to be indescribable,” he explained.

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Devdas was produced by Bharat Shah’s Mega Bollywood, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and earned nearly ₹100 crore globally. Its music was composed by Ismail Darbar, and it was made on a then-record budget of ₹50 crore.

Locarno Film Festival opened with Shah Rukh Khan, Jane Campion, Alfonso Cuaron and Irene Jacob set to be honoured with special awards on August 5.