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Following his global stardom achieved with Rajamouli's "RRR," Young Tiger NTR returns to captivate audiences with "Devara," directed by Koratala Shiva. The film hit theaters on September 27th, 2024, bringing together a powerhouse combination of NTR and Janhvi Kapoor, who makes her Tollywood debut in the film. With anticipation running high for this captivating pairing, let's delve into how NTR enthralled viewers in his portrayal of "Devara."
Devara story is all about tribals in the coastal region, their historical backdrop and their current situation and their exploitation by the influential few. Shivam (Ajay), a seasoned Mumbai cop, finds himself thrust into the heart of Ratnagiri, a region bordered by the ominous Red Sea. He's on a mission to apprehend the most feared underworld dons, Yeti and Daya.
During his investigation, Shivam crosses paths with the influential Singappa (Prakash Raj), who unveils a series of shocking events involving Devara (NTR) and Bhairava (Saif Ali Khan), events that have left an indelible mark on the lives of those in the region. The narrative then takes a captivating turn as we discover how these events connect to Devara's son, Vara (NTR), the Thangam (Janhvi), Rayappa (Srikanth), Kora (Shine Tom Chacko), the Kunja (Kalaiarasan), Muruga (Murali Sharma), and DSP Tulasi (Abhimanyu Singh). Their interwoven destinies form the heart of the story, promising a thrilling journey into the depths of Ratnagiri's underwater.
NTR, as expected, delivers a powerhouse performance, captivating audiences with his compelling portrayal of two distinct roles. He elevates scenes with his signature charisma, impressive mannerisms, expressive acting, and commanding screen presence. However, some viewers might feel that he could have explored greater variations in his characters, potentially creating an even more profound impact.
Janhvi Kapoor, making her Telugu debut, provides a visual feast, oozing glamour and showcasing her dance moves with NTR to captivating effect. While her physical presence is undeniable, her character unfortunately disappoints, with the inclusion of double-entendre dialogue that feels out of place and ultimately detracts from her performance.
Saif Ali Khan shares the screen equally with NTR in the first half, leaving a strong impression. However, his role diminishes significantly in the second half, transforming into a mere caricature of his earlier presence. The supporting cast, including Shruthi Marathe, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, Narain, Kalaiarasan, Murli Sharma, Ajay, and Abhimanyu Singh, all deliver solid performances, contributing effectively to their respective roles.
Devara penned by Koratala Shiva, aims to elevate NTR's heroic image to new heights. The film opens with an intriguing and captivating narrative set against a stunning seascape. However, the momentum slows down as Shiva focuses on introducing a plethora of characters and highlighting events in the lives of NTR and Saif Ali Khan. Despite some thrilling action sequences and intense dialogues between the two leads, the film truly comes alive during the spectacular interval block, leaving audiences eager for the second half.
Unfortunately, the introduction of Janhvi and the subsequent romantic track between her and NTR significantly slow down the pace, adding little to the overall narrative. The second half is burdened by cringeworthy elements and a sluggish pace, with only the climax offering a surge of excitement, quickly dissipated by a predictable twist. Shiva's story is wafer-thin, relying heavily on NTR's heroic persona. He fails to elevate Saif Ali Khan's villainous character, and the poorly written role for Janhvi further exacerbates the film's shortcomings.
The film's narrative, a mishmash of elements from previous films, lacks emotional depth. Weak writing, uneven screenplay, and a predictable direction ultimately hinder the final result.
Rathnavelu's cinematography excels, particularly in showcasing the underwater sequences with impressive detail. Anirudh Ravichander's music is decent, with a few well-shot songs, including "Ayudha Pooja" (which could have been better) and the crowd-pleasing "Chuttamalle." His background score enhances the intensity of certain scenes. Sreekar Prasad's editing, however, could have been more refined. Some dialogues are impactful, while others fall flat. The production values are undoubtedly lavish.
"Devara," despite its initial promise, falls short due to a weak narrative, a reliance on formulaic elements, and a lack of emotional connection.
Altogether, Devara for all the hype turns out to be a routine and predictable action flick. Despite NTR's valiant efforts to carry the film, "Devara" ultimately falls short of expectations, succumbing to a predictable, formulaic action narrative. While the film initially promises intrigue, Koratala Shiva stumbles in his writing, screenplay, and direction, failing to maintain emotional depth and cinematic intensity. These shortcomings leave the audience disconnected and ultimately contribute to "Devara's" underwhelming 2.5 rating by Cinejosh.
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