Movie : Devara
Cast: NTR, Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shruthi Marathe, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, Talluri Rameshwari, Murali Sharma, Abhimanyu Singh, etc.
Cinematography: R. Rathnavelu
Editing: Sreekar Prasad
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Produced by: Sudhakar Mikkilineni, Kosaraju Harikrishna
Director: Koratala Siva
Release Date: September 27, 2024
Rating: 2.75/5
Devara is one of the most awaited films of the year, especially following the monumental success of Kalki. The movie brings NTR back to the screen after his international recognition with RRR, and also marks the Telugu debuts of Janhvi Kapoor as the leading lady and Saif Ali Khan as the antagonist. Given all this buzz, there are high expectations. Let’s dive into what Devara has to offer.
Plot Overview:
The story opens in 1996 with a cop, played by Ajay, on a mission to track down a criminal. During the operation, he stumbles upon stories of Devara (NTR) and the village of Errasamudram through a conversation with Singappa (Prakash Raj).
The narrative then rewinds to the 1970s, where Devara leads a band of pirates, looting cargo ships for survival, under contracts from Muruga (Murali Sharma). However, after a life-altering incident, Devara decides to turn away from this criminal life, setting up a conflict with his fellow pirates, particularly Bhaira (Saif Ali Khan), who opposes Devara’s decision. The story’s crux lies in how this clash escalates.
Performance Analysis:
NTR plays dual roles with great skill, proving once again why he’s one of the finest actors in the industry. He showcases a powerful, layered performance but leaves viewers wishing for more depth from his character’s emotional arc.
Janhvi Kapoor, in her Telugu debut, is given limited screen time, and her character feels underwritten. She appears only in the second half, contributing very little to the plot, which might leave her fans wanting more.
Saif Ali Khan delivers a strong performance in his Telugu debut, but his character fades slightly in the second half. Supporting cast members like Prakash Raj, Srikanth, and others do well in their brief roles, though many of their characters lack depth and purpose. Notably, Shruthi Marathe shines as Devara’s wife, and Talluri Rameshwari returns after a long hiatus, impressing in her role as Jogula.
Technical Highlights:
Visually, *Devara* is impressive, with breathtaking cinematography by R. Rathnavelu, especially the scenes set in water and village backdrops. The CGI work is satisfactory, effectively complementing the scale of the film.
Anirudh Ravichander’s background score is one of the film’s standout elements, intensifying key moments. However, the songs fall short of expectations. Despite a few visually appealing sequences, like the song “Chuttamalle,” others, especially the much-hyped “Ayudha Puja” track, are disappointing, with jarring tunes and unclear lyrics.
Strengths:
– NTR’s portrayal of dual roles stands out as the film’s core strength.
– The background score enhances the intensity of key scenes.
Weaknesses:
– The screenplay is cluttered with too many underdeveloped characters, making it hard to follow or emotionally invest in the story.
– The writing lacks originality, with numerous elements feeling borrowed from other popular films.
– There are no standout moments that leave a lasting impact, especially for a film of this scale.
Final Thoughts:
The primary issue with Devara is its overloaded narrative, which tries to juggle too many characters without fully fleshing out their motivations or significance. The story feels thin, relying heavily on visual grandeur and background music rather than a compelling narrative. The film doesn’t offer the “goosebumps” moments one might expect from such a big-budget production.
Despite an intriguing conflict between Devara and Bhaira, the movie fails to evoke the necessary emotional resonance. The second half fares slightly better with the introduction of a different narrative layer, but even this can’t rescue the film from its predictable climax, which borrows heavily from Baahubali‘s iconic ending.
Overall, Devara feels more like a collage of familiar elements from other successful films, lacking freshness or a memorable identity. It may appeal to die-hard NTR fans or those who enjoy action-heavy films, but for others, it might feel underwhelming.
Bottom Line: Doesn’t live up to the hype.
