Shahid Kapoor is gearing up for the release of his new action film ‘Deva’, which is set to hit theatres on January 31, 2025. The film has been generating significant buzz, particularly as this marks Shahid's debut as a police officer. Yet, ‘Deva’ has recently made headlines due to some mandated cuts from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Reports emerged indicating the CBFC required the filmmakers to trim certain content, including reducing the length of a kissing scene by six seconds and removing some gestures deemed inappropriate. During an exclusive chat with News24 at the Manthan 2024 event, Shahid addressed these changes, saying, “There were only three minor changes” and emphasizing their agreement with the CBFC's requests.
The film's director, Rosshan Andrrews, implemented these alterations, which Shahid reassured audiences, saying, “it does not impact the final outcome of Deva.” Meanwhile, excitement continues to build as fans eagerly anticipate the film's release.
‘Deva’ also features Pooja Hegde as the lead opposite Shahid Kapoor. This film, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, is being described as one of the year's must-see features due to its action-packed trailer and compelling soundtrack. Ahead of its release, the movie has already opened advance ticket sales, attracting significant attention and interest.
Information about the film indicates it has received a U/A rating from the CBFC, which allows viewers under 12 with parental guidance. The certification process highlighted the need for certain clarifications, including explicit language adjustments and contextual information about landmarks such as Hutatma Chow. The adjustments have concluded, placing the film's official runtime at 2 hours and 36 minutes.
Advance booking for ‘Deva’ has proven successful, racking up approximately Rs 1.62 crore from ticket sales, with over 31,000 tickets sold nationwide. Given the momentum, the film is poised for an estimated opening of around Rs 5 to 7 crore.
The star-studded cast doesn’t just stop at Shahid and Pooja. Supporting actors include Pavail Gulati, Girish Kulkarni, and Kubbra Sait, all of whom contribute to the movie's appeal. Victorious anticipation surrounds the film, marking Shahid's resurgence within the action genre after his previous roles. This film also symbolizes Andrrews' Hindi directorial debut, presenting viewers with fresh storytelling.
Once ‘Deva’ completes its theatrical run, it is expected to land on Netflix, though the exact date for its streaming premiere has yet to be confirmed.
Apart from discussing the film, Shahid Kapoor took the opportunity to express gratitude for his family's influence on his career. He admitted his wife, Mira Rajput, and brother, Ishaan Khatter, serve as his strongest critics, sharing candid feedback on his work. He also praised his father, Pankaj Kapoor, whom he considers the “best actor” for his dedication and talent, adding insights from his family help shape his professional choices.
On the eve of its release, anticipation continues to build around ‘Deva’, with Shahid's performance as Dev Ambre expected to make waves, especially since fans have shown significant interest leading up to its launch. With these high expectations, the film is set to make a remarkable mark on the audience and the box office.