Devara: Part 1 Review: Saif Ali Khan Is Outstanding In This Stretched Action Drama, Janhvi Kapoor Is Blink And Miss!
Devara stars Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. It is directed by Koratala Siva. Read our review here.
2 / 5
There aren’t any big movie releases this week except Devara: Part 1. The Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer film is directed by Koratala Siva. It would be wrong if I said I was not expecting a larger-than-life massy action film, but to be fair, it was quite an overdose of it. The 2-hour 45-minute film is packed with many action sequences with a little story in between, and only Saif Ali Khan’s brilliant performance stands out throughout the tiring watch. With many flaws and just a few good points, here is a detailed review of the much-anticipated movie.
Plot
Part 1 of Devara happens in flashback and Prakash Raj’s character Singappa (Prakash Raj) narrates the story of Devara to a police officer. The story is about four villages residing on an island in the Red Sea. Each village is headed by a leader. The strongest among them is Devara (Jr NTR) and Bhaira (Saif Ali Khan) is basically, the second best. The men earn their living by helping businessmen get their illegal cargo through the sea. However, after some turn of events, Devara has a change of heart and he decides to stop illegal trade, and instead earn through the right means. The decision does not sit well with the other villages and they scheme a plan to kill Devara. They are unable to do so but in return, Devara brutally kills the men and warns the villagers of their fate. He disappears with a promise to always protect the sea. But Bhairava doesn’t stop the search and also builds an army of young boys to kill Devara.
The second half of Devara is all about his son Vara (Jr NTR). His character is shown as a naive and innocent man opposite to his father. There are a few twists to the story and the characters as well. Janhvi Kapoor plays the love interest of Vara but she initially shows disinterest as he does not fit in her list of criteria!
Good
Saif Ali Khan as Bhairava is the best part of the film. The actor’s screen presence is absolutely phenomenal. He does not require any kind of BG score or camera movement to make his presence felt. The angry, devilish and powerful characters of Bhairava were delivered by Saif Ali Khan with utmost perfection. So much so, that Devara: Part 1 felt like his film, and he made the movie worth watching. It was Saif’s first Telugu film and he has yet again proven his finesse as an actor in this one. He also stands out in the action sequences, especially the hand-to-hand combats.
Also Read: Saif Ali Khan To Play Villain In Janhvi Kapoor, Jr NTR Starrer Devara. We’re Excited!
Action Sequences
Devara: Part 1 has a lot of action sequences and will cater to the audience who only want to watch this. Some action sequences in the film, though stretched are well-directed, and it’s exciting to watch them on the big screen. There’s a hand-to-hand combat between Devara and Bhairava and it’s engaging. Even the scenes when Devera single-handedly kills a mob of men are quite thrilling to witness.
In some scenes, the CGI is also noteworthy. The Janhvi Kapoor and Jr NTR song titled ‘Chuttamalle’ is visually stunning.
Now, The Bad!
Stretched Storyline
Devara: Part 1 was like a never-ending film for me and that is the biggest drawback. The story is stretched with the addition of long action sequences, dance numbers and unnecessary subplots. The twist in the second half does not hit the mark, and was moreover, a predictable one. The cliffhanger also kills the remaining excitement that one may have for the second part of Devara, which BTW is also happening.
Performances
Janhvi Kapoor: Janvhi’s character Thangam is introduced in the second half and she hard gets the screen time. I wonder why she said Yes to a film where she did not get to play a character that adds any value to the plot or other characters. She is boiled down to being an eye-candy in Devara: Part 1, and is seen in a few scenes and a song. Janhvi Kapoor’s character is forgotten after those few scenes. The character Thangam was kaafi adorable and charming, but we wish to have seen more of Janhvi Kapoor.
Jr NTR is just playing a hero! Those slow-motions and background music during his scenes add the larger-than-life effect but we fail to see him as an actor. He is swift, smooth and flawless during the action scenes, and one only gets to see him do that in the film. Devara’s emotional moments did not have any impact on me either, nor the sudden disappearance. It’s strange how I never missed Devara in the film. Vara’s character came out as the better one between the two. However, I expected more!
OTT Scenes
Some scenes in Devara are very funny, especially of Jr NTR flying in air. These scenes are just unbelievable and make you wonder if, in 2024, makers think we will buy it. During these scenes, it’s quite evident that the shots are directed in a studio with a green screen.
Songs
Well, if not for the action scenes, Devara also has a lot of tracks, and some are not placed right in the film, especially Chuttamalle. The song happens in the plot out of nowhere!
Female Characters Ignored!
Devara: Part 1 does not have any prominent female characters. The first part of the Jr NTR’s film could do without Janhvi Kapoor’s Thangam. It was quite disappointing to see the female characters have no strong influence to add to the narrative. The treatment of women in some scenes felt disturbing, especially the one where Bairava’s son kills a woman when she questions his bravery out of fun! Basically, there was no place for women in the film!
Verdict: Saif Ali Khan Delivers An Outstanding Performance In an Unbearably Stretched Action Film!
Devara: Part 1 starring Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor is a high-action film that does not have an impressive storyline. The narrative is stretched to a point where you just wish the film to end. Saif Ali Khan has delivered an outstanding performance as Bhairava. Jr NTR is the expected action hero in the film. Janhvi Kapoor is a blink-and-miss, which is disheartening. Some action scenes are thrilling but are tiresome. The twists in the second half of the film are predictable. Devara: Part 1 is currently running in the theatres. Tell us how you liked it!
First Published: September 27, 2024 6:56 PM
