Shahid Kapoor has returned to the big screen with a bang after several years, starring as the charismatic lead in the highly anticipated action thriller Deva, directed by Rosshan Andrrews. The film hit theaters on January 31, 2025, capturing the curiosity of audiences and critics alike.
Set against the backdrop of police brutality and corruption, Deva presents Kapoor as Dev Ambre, a cop who navigates the murky waters of law enforcement with audacity. The title character is not just any officer; he is known for shoving guns in the faces of citizens questioning his methods and making vulgar gestures at powerful figures during interrogations. According to reviews, Kapoor embodies the role with "undeniable swag," transforming his character's complexity and grit with every frame.
Initial box office projections estimated Deva could earn around Rs 4-5 crore on its opening day, but the early estimates are indicative of tough roadblocks. By the evening shows, the film's collection stood at approximately Rs 2.82 crore, with occupancy rates displaying concern—5.87% for the morning shows, 9.18% for the afternoon, and 9.77% for the evening. Despite these estimates, industry insiders note the film might see improved numbers as night show reservations could boost totals.
Reviews continue to flood social media, with fans responding enthusiastically to Kapoor's performance, dubbing it his "career best." After all, this actor has successfully captivated audiences with roles ranging from romantic leads to intense characters in impactful films like Haider and Udta Punjab. One user passionately tweeted, “& THE AWARD GOES TO MAD #ShahidKapoor. HE IS ON BEAST MODE Career Best Performance. God!! His Madness Is Unpredictable, PSYCHO #Deva. This Movie Deserve 100cr At The Box Office.”
These sentiments echo the performances from Shahid's co-stars, namely Pooja Hegde, who plays the role of the investigative journalist. Additional cast members such as Kubbra Sait and Pavail Gulati also command attention, supporting the narrative with their contributions. Critics have noted how the film bears resemblance to classic Bollywood cop dramas, making it reminiscent of iconic characters known for their integrity, such as Amitabh Bachchan’s Vijay.
Diving deep, one film critic highlighted, "Shahid delivers a powerful act, bringing raw intensity to his role as Dev." They noted the character's struggle with his father's criminal past, echoing familiar tropes from Indian cinema’s portrayal of the flawed hero, yet presenting it through a contemporary lens.
Despite the film's apparent shortcomings—such as reported "loose threads" and longer film stretches—many viewers are intrigued to see how the film explores the police's duality of heroism and moral ambiguity. This thematic depth appears to resonate with certain audiences, inviting them to reflect on the society depicted on screen.
Looking at the box office statistics, Deva's Rs 5 crore opening places it within the competitive atmosphere of Hindi cinema, which saw other films like Akshay Kumar's Sky Force achieve record collections. Kapoor's previous outing, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, opened at Rs 6.7 crore, establishing high benchmarks for Deva to surpass.
One of the intriguing aspects surrounding Deva is its ability to captivate fans who are fervently hopeful about the film reaching significant financial success, especially with its provocative storyline and engaging score by composers Jakes Bejoy and Vishal Mishra.
Looking forward, cinema analysts suggest Deva may yet strengthen its box office performance over the weekend and perhaps build momentum, assuming word-of-mouth reviews sway public interest favorably. The investment in the soundtrack and promotional campaigns certainly support this perspective, as they play pivotal roles in audience engagement.
Overall, Deva stands as Shahid Kapoor's bold return to cinema, offering action, powerful drama, and significant character exploration. Whether it meets the high expectations set by its publicity will depend on how audiences react to not only Kapoor's performance but also the film's execution during these first few days of release.