Movie Name: Devara
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Srikanth, Prakash Raj
Director: Koratala Siva
Produced By: Yuvasudha Arts and N. T. R. Arts
Release Date: September 27th, 2024,
A gap of 6 long years! That’s what it took for NTR to appear on big screens in a solo avatar. Fan’s excitement has been peaking for the past few weeks with each fresh update of Devara and now it’s finally time to witness Tarak on the big screen. While the excitement and buzz are undoubtedly high, it’s important that the film’s content also matches that. Did Devara manage to deliver on what Koratala and NTR promised? Let’s find out.
Story:
Devara is set in a group of villages called Erra Samudram, where the people live by the sea. Their ancestors protected the sea from illegal activities, but during Devara’s time, they are forced into illegal activities for survival. However, at some point, Devara realizes his mistakes and decides to stop the illegal activities. This change is not well-received by others, leading to a rift between them. What unfolds next and how Devara manages to face this challenge is what the film’s about.
NTR delivers a stellar performance as both Devara and Vara. He’s particularly terrific as Devara and manages to set the screen on fire. His screen presence is a treat. Saif Ali Khan blends well with his character, which was well written. Janhvi Kapoor’s character, and performance unfortunately offer little to speak of, as it was poorly written. Anirudh’s music works well in some parts but doesn’t sync in others. Koratala’s dialogues are well written, but he falters in the screenplay, particularly in the second half. The visuals are grand.
Screenplay
Koratala Siva takes a good plot with his signature story, enhanced by the sea backdrop. However, in terms of screenplay, he made a mistake. He could have written it differently. Normally, a commercial screenplay starts slow and builds momentum, but Devara starts strong in the first half, then falls flat, and the climax picks up with action. The setup for the second part could have been better. Koratala has a solid story capable of delivering a commercial blockbuster, but the wrong screenplay execution lets it down. However, it’s not a complete miss—it works decently for the audience. With a different screenplay, it could have been a massive film on another level.
Movie Analysis:
The film starts on a very strong note. This time, Koratala Siva builds the world with powerful characters and well-crafted scenes. The entire first half is filled with mass moments. However, in the second half, the introduction of Vara and the scenes with Thangam didn’t work well, as their track was poorly written. A few blocks work well after and the climax, though, ends on a strong note with a good action block and a twist. While Koratala sets up a twist for the second part, it could have been much stronger. Somehow, it felt like the characters didn’t blend well, setting up the stage for the second half.
Positives:
- NTR’s dual role performance and screen presence
- Massy action blocks and sea backdrop
- Strong casting with powerful characterizations
- Engaging first half
Negatives:
- Love track
- Screenplay
- Emotional scenes could have been better
- Abrupt ending
Verdict:
Devara is a decent commercial entertainer that works well for the masses. However, if your expectations are high, it might be a bit disappointing
