Review of Bollywood Movie “Deva”
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Newz Daddy Review in One Line: Deva is a gritty but uneven police drama carried by Shahid Kapoor’s intense performance, though its stretched runtime and lack of gripping moments make it an average Movie.”
Newzdaddy Ratings: 2.5 / 5
Genre: Action, Thriller
Star Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, Kubbra Sait, Pravessh Rana
Written By: Sumit Arora, Bobby, Abbas Dalal
Directed By: Rosshan Andrrews
Produced By: Siddharth Roy Kapur, and Zee Studios
Music: Vishal Mishra
Recommended or Not ?: One time Watch if you are Free.
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 2 hours 36 minutes
Released in: Cinema/Theaters
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So Shahid Kapoor’s movie “Deva” is out in theaters. I watched the morning show, and the audience wasn’t that big. So, how is the movie? Let’s talk about it.
It felt good to see Shahid Kapoor back on the big screen after a long time. What made it even better was his character – a tough, aggressive, and raw police officer, kind of like a badass cop. You’ll see two shades of his character: one in casual clothes in the first half and the other in a police uniform in the second half. That was fun to watch.
The story revolves around police, goons, and politics, with Deva’s journey in between. The issue with the movie is that despite having only one song, the runtime is two and a half hours, which could have easily been cut down to two hours. It feels more like an investigation film than a police drama.
When I (or maybe you) saw the teaser and trailer, there was a lot of hype and hope that the movie would be exciting. But honestly, there are very few moments where you feel like, “Yes, this is worth it!” The entire movie could be summed up in half an hour.
Overall, there’s an interval scene and a cameo role by Upendra Limaye, who had a similar impactful role in Animal. His 5-minute scene is well-written and situational. The climax, where the killer is revealed, is suspenseful.
Apart from these scenes, there aren’t many “wow” moments. Some dialogues are good, and the background music (BGM) is strong, making it a watchable movie. But it doesn’t create that craze where you’d tell others, “Drop everything and go watch this!” If you don’t have time, you can skip it and watch it on OTT later.
All the actors in the film have done a great job. Pooja Hegde is also there, but her role feels more like an extended cameo. It’s good that there’s no forced love angle, which could have distracted from the main plot. The movie is carried entirely by Shahid Kapoor and his gritty, aggressive, and intense role.
Honestly, Shahid needs to work on his script selection now. Instead of remakes, he should pick more original topics for his future projects. Speaking of remakes, Deva is said to be a remake of the South Indian film Mumbai Police, which I haven’t seen. People were talking about a gay angle in the original, which isn’t there in this movie – and that’s actually a good thing.
Positive Points
- Shahid Kapoor’s Performance: His intense and aggressive portrayal of Deva is the highlight of the film.
- Cinematography: The visuals and action sequences are well-executed.
- No Forced Love Angle: The film avoids unnecessary romantic subplots, keeping the focus on the main plot.
- Cameo by Upendra Limaye: His brief but powerful appearance adds value to the film.
Negative Points
- Lengthy Runtime: The film feels stretched and could have been shorter.
- Lack of High Points: Apart from a few scenes, the movie lacks memorable moments.
- Uneven Storytelling: The narrative fails to maintain consistent engagement.
- Limited Role for Pooja Hegde: Her character feels underutilized.
Newz Daddy Verdict
Deva is an average police drama that relies heavily on Shahid Kapoor’s performance. While it has its moments, the film struggles to deliver a compelling and cohesive narrative. The strong BGM and cinematography add some value, but the overall experience is underwhelming. If you’re a Shahid Kapoor fan, you might enjoy his intense acting, but for others, this is a film that can be skipped in theaters and watched on OTT later.
