Shahid Kapoor's latest release, Deva, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, made its debut on January 31, 2025, and quickly stimulated diverse opinions among audiences and critics alike. Released amid much anticipation, the film is not only Kapoor's latest endeavor but also marks Andrews' Hindi film debut, and is adapted from the 2013 Malayalam film Mumbai Police.
Deva, featuring Shahid Kapoor as ACP Dev Ambre alongside Pooja Hegde, bowed at the box office with mixed results. It opened strong, seeing gross earnings of approximately ₹34.01 crore globally, but the story recently took twists during the film's screening experience.
Aly Goni, popular for his role on the reality show Bigg Boss, took to his Instagram stories to express disappointment over the screening he attended. The film was interrupted multiple times, leading him to criticize the INOX theater for the poor viewing experience, saying, "Yeh tab se film atki hui hai. Shahid Kapoor uthh hi nahi raha. Yeh INOX ki halat hai bhai. Dekh lo." His frustration escalated as he shared another video, lamenting, "Theek hai bhai phir se band ho gaya. Yeh INOX ki halat hai. Yeh panch panch hazaar (5000) ki tickets le ke, yeh dekhiye. Band! Woh bol rahe hai 15-20 minute lagenge..."
Despite technical glitches at the theater, the film's narrative follows ACP Dev Ambre, who, afflicted by memory loss, investigates the murder of his best friend. Critics initially praised Kapoor's intense performance intertwined with emotionally gripping action sequences.
Upon its opening, Deva made ₹5.5 crore, with subsequent collections showing slight increases over the first weekend, culminating at around ₹21.36 crore net by its first Monday. The international box office receipts comprised ₹3.45 crore, with multiple industry reports confirming its performance fluctuated yet retained viewers.
Shahid Kapoor previously addressed debates on his role's comparisons to earlier characters, particularly his breakout role from Kabir Singh. He emphasized, "It’s an aggressive character, but Deva is very Deva; there is no Kabir Singh in it." This statement reflects Kapoor's intent to distance his character's identity from past portrayals.
Though the film enjoyed substantial popularity, audience feedback was split. Some reviews hailed it as "gritty and thrilling," celebrating Kapoor's performance as unwaveringly compelling. The first half of the film was highlighted for its dynamics, yet some viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the slower pace of the second half and the predictability of the climax. Social media reactions varied from praise of the film's gripping action sequences to criticisms of specific narrative choices.
The audience's dynamics are significant, as reactions highlight aspects of the film like the solid twists and stylish action sequences complimenting Kapoor's powerful portrayal. A review noted, #Deva is captivating and offers twists to keep audiences guessing until the end. Such sentiments are countered by reviewers who criticized the film for lacking logic and predictable developments.
With the box office results reflecting continued strong interest, the film is suggested to be more than just another typical action thriller, showcasing Kapoor's capacity to energize any role put before him. The competition faced by Deva during its second week from new releases, including Loveyapa and Christopher Nolan's Interstellar, could dictate its long-term box office success. Many anticipate how well it will sustain interest within crowded cinema schedules.
Although Deva has achieved initial financial milestones, it faces the challenge of maintaining momentum as audience opinions continue to transform. The collective reception of Kapoor's refined performance will likely impact his future projects, as he remains one of Bollywood's most cherished talents.