"I drink so that I can breathe."
Bollywood films are known to show the parameters of addictions through an unfiltered, sensitive lens.
These films feature characters who are hit with pain and they try to mask that pain in certain activities.
The characters are relatable to people with similar experiences and a more generic audience.
Portrayed by skilled actors, they add emotion and depth to the movies.
The substances they indulge in can range from alcoholism to drug use, and other unhealthy pursuits.
DESIblitz looks at 10 Bollywood characters battling addictions in their films in this article.
Devdas (1955)
Director: Bimal Roy
Stars: Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Vyjayanthimala
Based on the 1917 novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Bimal Roy’s Devdas narrates the tragic saga of the titular character.
In this classic, the character of Devdas is brought to life by the legendary Dilip Kumar.
Devdas deeply loves his childhood friend Paro (Suchitra Sen) and is heartbroken when she gets engaged to someone else.
To drown his sorrows, Devdas finds solace in alcohol, drinking himself into an early grave.
He is kept company by the courtesan Chandramukhi (Vyjayanthimala), who falls in love with him.
Dilip Sahab’s historic performance is remembered and adored by classic film enthusiasts.
In one scene, Chandramukhi begs Devdas to stop drinking. Devdas woefully replies:
“Which rascal drinks to tolerate? I drink so that I can breathe.”
For Devdas, Dilip Sahab won the Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ award in 1957.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972)
Director: Dev Anand
Stars: Dev Anand, Mumtaz, Zeenat Aman
Dev Anand directs, produces, and stars in this film about drug use and hippie culture.
Set in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dev Sahab plays Prashant Jaiswal – a pilot who longs to reunite with his sister Jasbir ‘Janice’ Jaiswal (Zeenat Aman).
Arriving in Kathmandu, Prashant is shocked that Janice has spiralled into drug use and is an addict.
Decorated with fantastic music by RD Burman, Hare Rama Hare Krishna is a career highlight of Dev Anand and Zeenat Aman.
Zeenat discusses the impact of the film on her acting prowess:
“I was accepted by the audiences at that time in characters which had grey shades, whether it was a drug addict or someone who died of an overdose.
“There was an audience acceptance. Subsequently, writers wrote parts for me where it was a good bad girl, good girl and other kinds of roles that did well.”
Hare Rama Hare Krishna is a must-see for people from all walks of life.
Sharaabi (1984)
Director: Prakash Mehra
Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Prada, Pran, Om Prakash, Deepak Parashar
When it comes to addictions, alcoholism is a common illness for anyone to endure.
‘Sharaabi’ translates to ‘alcoholic’, giving the audience a sense of the film’s details.
Vicky Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) is deprived of his father’s affection from a young age and finds solace in alcohol.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Amitabh was touted as the ‘angry young man’ of Bollywood.
Sharaabi sees him shed this image to become a nuanced, struggling character – one that viewers instantly sympathise with.
An online review of the film praises Amitabh’s act:
“[Amitabh] is vibrant and fascinating onscreen. He delivers every line perfectly and does his awesome Amitabh drunk act stumbling around – it’s amazing!”
The superstar truly captures the essence of alcoholism.
For that, Sharaabi is one of his most memorable films.
Black (2005)
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Ayesha Kapur, Shernaz Patel
Continuing with Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayals of alcoholics, we come to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black.
In Black, we are introduced to Michelle McNally (Rani Mukerji) – a young woman who is deaf, mute, and blind.
Her life changes when a teacher named Debraj Sahai (Amitabh) enters her life.
Debraj is an older man with a taste for alcohol, but despite this, he manages to transform Michelle’s existence, making her independent and optimistic.
However, as the film progresses, Debraj must contend with his demons.
His advanced age and his alcoholism lead to Alzheimer’s Disease.
It pushes him into a similar darkness from which he fought to free Michelle.
In preparation for the role, Amitabh researched extensively about the condition and met some patients who had the disease.
His careful portrayal won him a Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ award in 2006.
Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005)
Director: Harry Baweja
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Sushmita Sen, Esha Deol, Anupam Kher, Rucha Vaidya
Main Aisa Hi Hoon is a touching ode to family and love.
In the film, Indraneel ‘Neel’ Mohan Thakur (Ajay Devgn) is a man who has the mental age of a seven-year-old.
He meets Maya D Trivedi (Esha Deol) who is a drug user.
She uses the substances to cover up the emotional pain of feeling unloved and abandoned.
Maya and Neel fall in love and she gives birth to their daughter Gungun Thakur (Rucha Vaidya).
However, after having faced disappointment and heartbreak all her life, Maya becomes overwhelmed at the prospect of a happy existence.
Therefore, she devastatingly leaves Neel and Gungun to continue her addiction.
This creates a graphic yet essential portrayal of the juxtaposition that people with addictions go through.
Main Aisa Hi Hoon might be focused on Neel, but Maya is the catalyst in his journey.
Fashion (2008)
Director: Madhur Bhandarkar
Stars: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse, Arjan Bajwa
When one discusses the filmography of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Fashion is right up there with her most popular films.
However, Kangana Ranaut is just as much the star of the show as Priyanka.
In the film, Kangana plays Shonali Gujral – a model who suffers from drug abuse.
Shonali is successful but her addiction sends her into rehabilitation.
However, does she have the strength and willpower to overcome what is holding her back?
For her sterling performance, Kangana won several awards in 2009.
In 2020, Kangana reflected on the film and said:
“After doing films like Queen, Tanu Weds Manu, and Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, people still meet me and talk about Fashion.
“So many children and youngsters come up to me and say good things about it.”
If Priyanka Chopra Jonas is the heart of Fashion, Kangana Ranaut is the soul.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin
Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a testament to living life to its fullest.
When people consider addictions, they naturally think of substances and taboo activities such as sex and gambling.
However, in this film, Arjun Saluja (Hrithik Roshan) displays a hidden addiction.
He has only one priority in life and that is his work.
Living as a stockbroker in London, Arjun is a workaholic.
Driven by his love for money and making it big, he has lost a relationship due to his habit.
His outlook changes during a bachelor trip in Spain for his friend Kabir Dewan (Abhay Deol).
A diving instructor named Laila (Katrina Kaif) teaches him to seize the day and make every moment count.
In the process, Laila and Arjun fall in love and this makes him appreciate life more and relax.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara continues to inspire the audience to live life instead of simply spending it.
Sanju (2018)
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal
A riveting biopic of the Bollywood superstar Sanjay Dutt, a key plot of Sanju is the actor’s drug addiction.
During a 2006 interview with Simi Garewal, Sanjay explains a heartbreaking incident from this issue:
“I went to sleep and woke up hungry. I told my servant to get me something to eat.
“He started crying and said, ‘You’ve woken up after two days’.
“I went to Dad and said, ‘I’m dying and I want you to help me’.”
In Sanju, Ranbir Kapoor inhabits the world of Sanjay Dutt. The scenes displaying the drug addiction are intense and powerful.
Sanjay’s fight to overcome his illness is underscored by the chartbuster ‘Kar Har Maidaan Fateh‘.
It shows Sanjay doing well in rehab under the watchful spirit of his mother Nargis Dutt (Manisha Koirala).
Ranbir nails the mannerisms of Sanjay, from his walk to his voice and his laugh.
Unsurprisingly, Ranbir won the 2019 Filmfare ‘Best Actor’ award for Sanju.
Shaitaan (2024)
Director: Vikas Bahl
Stars: Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Jyothika, Janki Bodiwala, Anngad Raaj
Habits are often the usual root for addictions to take place.
What about those who are addicted to power and status?
That is what Vikas Bahl’s terrifically terrifying horror Shaitaan represents.
The Rishi family lead a happy life but all hell breaks loose when the mysterious Vanraj Kashyap (R Madhavan) arrives on the scene.
Vanraj immediately casts a spell on Jahnvi Rishi (Janki Bodiwala), forcing her to carry out all her instructions to the letter.
This is because Vanraj wants power and does not believe that people deserve free will.
Vanraj holds the family hostage at their farmhouse and coerces Jahnvi to commit heinous deeds against her family.
Can the Rishi family stop Vanraj and free themselves of his torment?
Shaitaan is a tale of courage and bravery and is a must-see for all Bollywood fans.
Maidaan (2024)
Director: Amit Sharma
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, Baharul Islam
Continuing with the intense actor Ajay Devgn, we come to the sports biographical, Maidaan.
This rousing biopic chronicles the saga of the Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim (Ajay).
Amid disdain and disapproval, Rahim forms a new team, motivating them to succeed.
However, the chain smoker Rahim is later given devastating news.
His addiction to cigarettes leads to personal and professional upheaval.
Instead of crippling Rahim, this drives him even further to lead his team to the top of the pitch.
Shubhra Gupta writes: “This underdog story makes you want to clap and cheer and wipe away a proud tear.”
Addictions are devastating and difficult for everyone who faces them.
They can have a seismic impact and disastrous consequences not only for the people who endure them but also for those around them.
These Bollywood films do a brilliant job of showing the extreme depths people with these problems fall into.
At the same time, these stories are unafraid to show the harsh reality of those who succumb to their battles.
One thing is certain from all these films: addictions are nasty regardless of whether they are intentional or not.
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