This movie has given me hope about Indian cinema. This is post modern Indian cinema. Anurag Kashyap demonstrates that it is possible to make a slick modern day cinema with characters that are very Indian. No need to resort to copying scenes from Hollywood big budget John Woo style movies to give movies a modern look. Dev D's India is modern India.

Don't get me wrong. This is not an attempt to make a movie with a message or a moral. This is storytelling the way stories should be told. No overacting, not too many cinematic liberties, no in your face emotions. But you still feel the pain of the characters and maybe (if you have had dark moments in life) you can even relate to them.

This is also not completely realistic. There are many surreal and psychedelic moments which have been appropriately depicted using interesting camera angles and even more interesting background score.

Amit Trivedi's music is without precedence. The entire 18 song soundtrack can stand on its own independent of the movie. Yet in the movie the music is seamless except for maybe a few tracks which needed to grab your attention.

The direction is excellent, realistic, almost flawless. The acting is superb. Especially Abhay Deol as Dev.

All in all a movie worth more than one viewing. If you want to enjoy the direction, watch it at least twice.