'Devara' Review: Story, Cast And Direction Make Jr NTR Movie Another Mass Project (Image-X/DevaraMovie)

The first edition of Devara, a Koratala Siva-directorial starring Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan, Prakash Raj and Janhvi Kapoor, will survive on its story centered on sea and fisherfolk. There are two more important elements in the movie might help the Telugu star Jr NTR to overcome the Rajamouli curse as well: one, Devara’s ensemble cast is perfectly done and suits very well with the plot, and two, the presentation of the movie for a mass film project takes lesson from all the other industry hits like RRR, Pushpa and Bahubali.

Koratala Siva, whose filmmaking style is marked by his ability to merge social commentary with commercial cinema in the Telugu film industry, repeats the same formula with Devara. The director, who is also the writer of Devara, make sure that his lead characters revolve around larger-than-life protagonists who are deeply rooted in the ethos of the common man, yet they carry strong ideas about societal reform and mass apppeal. Siva, whose narratives are often centered on themes like corruption, governance, and the fight against injustice which resonate with a wide audience, is again centering his protagonist on the fight for common good in Devara.

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With Jr NTR on lead, Siva favours grandeur in his production design showcasing expansive sets and high-energy action sequences in Devara as well technically. However, his storytelling in this big budget project as well leans heavily on formulaic tropes, including predictable emotional arcs and melodrama. While he masterfully creates impactful moments, especially in high-stakes action and intense dialogues, his reliance on star power can overshadow character depth. In Devara also, he is overly dependent on his lead actor rather than the story itself. However, the story, evading the normal planes of jungles, urban spaces and usual Southern villages, lands in a sea village and that makes good difference with remarkable depth.

In Devara, his focus on hero-centered storytelling can come across as didactic, with messages occasionally feeling forced or heavy-handed, and the legend ‘Devara’ he is trying to build falls flat as the action and dialogues overtakes the detailing. Despite these flaws, this mass movie succeeds in engaging the masses through a balance of commercial appeal and purposeful storytelling, making Siva different from his peers.

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Jr NTR, a powerhouse in action movies and mass films — a genre where his intensity and larger-than-life presence resonate with audiences — make sure that his high-octane performance is delivered again in Devara with a compelling mix of physicality and raw emotion, ensuring that his characters— as father Devara and son Varadha —leave a lasting impact. One plus point Devara has, that its non-linear storytelling unlike the straightforward storylines of his most films, substantiate Jr NTR’s ability to go beyond typical commercial fare.

But, Jr NTR’s charisma and impeccable dialogue delivery, which assures crowd to the cinemas, falls into a repetitive pattern in Devara as well.

After Roudram Ranam Rudhiram (RRR), in Devara as well, he showcases his versatility within the genre with commanding screen presence and commitment to his craft with the script is not limited by conventional constructs.

Among the title cast, Saif Ali Khan is a visual experience to watch in which you might see shades of the actor from his acclaimed work Omkara. But, the character, due to the flaws in writing still scheming and you won’t see a full fledged antagonist in the movie. On the other hand, Janhvi Kapoor’s character as Varadha’s love interest is only remains as a showpiece and she has nothing to do in the whole schema of story. Prakash Raj, considering his calibre, again stays as a mere narrator except for some momentary brilliance in the presentation.

Music by Anirudh Ravichander is energetic and enhances the experience of a thriller movie.

Timeline verdict: Though sloppy at times, with powerful story and perfect casting, Devara Part 1 is a thrilling ride.

Devara Part 1 Crew

Direction, writing: Koratala Siva

Cast: Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shruti Marathe? Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, Zarina Wahab, Narain
Cinematographer: R. Rathnavelu

Editor: A. Sreekar Prasad
Music: Anirudh Ravichander