Suresh Kavirayani
Director Koratala Siva has made a name for himself in Telugu cinema with his unique blend of socially conscious and commercially viable films. His previous collaborations have consistently delivered impactful messages alongside entertainment. Koratala Siva and Jr NTR have reunited for Devara after their successful partnership in Janata Garage. This film marks Jr NTR’s return to solo leads after nearly six years, following the multi-starrer blockbuster RRR alongside Ram Charan. Devara also stars actress Janhvi Kapoor to Telugu cinema, making her debut alongside Jr NTR. Saif Ali Khan joins the cast, bringing his signature style to the film. The music composition is handled by Anirudh Ravichander.
STORY
The story unfolds in Ratnagiri, a coastal town on the Andhra-Tamil Nadu border, where four villages—Erra Samudram — are nestled amidst hills and forests. Devara (played by Jr NTR) and Bhaira (played by Saif Ali Khan) are leaders of these villages, resorting to ship robberies to survive. However, they soon discover they’re unwittingly aiding Muruga’s (played by Murali Sharma) gang in smuggling illegal arms. A tragic turn of events changes Devara’s perspective. After a village boy falls victim to an extremist landmine, Devara realises the devastating consequences of their actions. He decides to cease collaborating with Muruga and urges his villagers to do the same. Bhaira disagrees, sowing discord between the two former allies. Devara takes drastic measures, eliminating Bhaira’s crew when they continue pirating ships. He disappears, leaving behind a legacy of fear, as he continues to target anyone engaging in illicit activities at sea. Years pass and Devara’s son, Vara (played by Jr NTR), seeks to make amends for his father’s past.
What drives Vara’s actions? Who is Thangam (Janhvi Kapoor) and what’s her connection to Devara’s family? What strategies will Bhaira employ to lure Devara back to the villages? What brings the Ajay group to Erra Samudram? The answers lie within the film.
ANALYSIS
Director Koratala Siva ventures into new territory with Devara, shifting from emotionally charged social dramas to action-packed cinema. Set against the backdrop of a seaside town, the film explores the lives of four villages dependent on the coast. Initially, Siva strikes the right balance, introducing Devara and Bhaira as leaders of the villages. However, as Devara’s moral awakening transforms the narrative, the pace slows. The story becomes overly focused on Bhaira’s vendetta against Devara, lacking impactful moments due to the sluggish pace. Siva excels in capturing the initial ship-robbing scenes and vibrant festival episodes, but repetition and subpar graphics detract from the experience. The first half shows promise, while the second half falters. Notably, Koratala Siva’s trademark strong female characters are underutilized, particularly Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Thangam. The influx of characters and action-oriented approach overshadows the storyline. The climax, expected to set the stage for the sequel, falls short. Koratala Siva’s earlier films demonstrated emotional depth, but Devara missed the mark. Refining his writing skills could have elevated the film.
PERFORMANCES
The performances in Devara are spearheaded by Jr NTR, who shoulders the responsibility with ease. He delivers a powerful performance as Devara and later as Vara, showcasing his exceptional acting prowess. Jr NTR is undoubtedly one of Telugu cinema’s finest actors, and his talent shines through in this film. While Jr NTR steals the show, Saif Ali Khan’s character lacks depth and fails to leave a lasting impression. Janhvi Kapoor’s role is limited to a cameo appearance in one song and a few scenes. Srikanth, Prakash Raj and Ajay have brief roles, with limited screen time. Murali Sharma also makes a fleeting appearance. The female characters, including Shruti Marathe as Jr NTR’s wife, are underdeveloped due to inadequate writing. Fortunately, Anirudh Ravichander’s background score elevates the film, compensating for the lackluster songs. His music stands out, particularly in the sole Jr NTR-Janvi duet. Ratnavelu’s cinematography captures memorable moments, although the graphics are inconsistent.
VERDICT:
Ultimately, Devara caters primarily to Jr NTR fans, with his performance being the film’s standout aspect. Anirudh’s background score serves as another redeeming factor. However, Devara falls short of Koratala Siva’s usual standards, lacking depth in its storyline and emotional resonance.
Cast: Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Prakash Raj, Ajay, Shruti Marathe, Srikanth and Shine Tom Chacko, among others.
Writer and Director: Koratala Siva
Producer: Sudhakar Mikkilineni, Kosaraju Harikrishna
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematographer: R Ratnavelu
