Shahid Kapoor Returns to Action with ‘Deva’, But Box Office Numbers Fall Short
The much-anticipated film ‘Deva’ has hit theaters, showcasing Shahid Kapoor as the titular character, Dev Ambre, a rebellious police officer on the hunt for the truth behind his friend’s murder. Directed by Rosshan Andrrews, who made his Bollywood debut with this project, the film offers an engaging narrative, though initial box office receipts paint a less rosy picture.
‘Deva’ is not merely another action flick; it is adapted from the critically acclaimed Malayalam film ‘Mumbai Police’ and follows Dev, who is tasked with solving the murder of his colleague, ACP Rohan Dsilva, played by Pavail Gulati. This character is gunned down just as he receives recognition for capturing a notorious gangster. The narrative takes a dramatic twist when Dev suffers from amnesia following an accident, complicatively intertwining his professional and personal quests.
Despite bearing some predictable elements, ‘Deva’ manages to surprise audiences with unexpected turns, successfully grabbing attention with its thrilling action sequences and dramatic confrontations. The film’s pacing, particularly the slow-building tension of the first half, picks up momentum as the story progresses, delivering satisfying twists as it nears its conclusion.
Shahid Kapoor’s compelling performance is certainly the highlight of the movie. Critics have drawn parallels between this character and his previous roles, noting echoes of his notorious portrayal of Kabir Singh. His interpretation of Dev—a cop who operates on the fringes of the law—has been lauded for its emotional depth and intensity. Kapoor navigates through various shades of his character, seamlessly balancing moments of rage and vulnerability.
While the film centers on Shahid’s character, it falls short with other performances, particularly those of Pooja Hegde and Kubbra Sait. Pooja plays Diya Sathe, a journalist, yet her character is criticized for being underutilized, with many feeling her role lacked depth and dimension. Quantum of action scenes assigned to Kubbra’s character did not fully capitalize on her abilities either, leading viewers to see her as merely decorative rather than integral to the story.
Musically, ‘Deva’ delivers with its stirring background score composed by Jakes Bejoy; it elevates many scenes and keeps viewers engaged, especially during pivotal action moments. The film boasts only two songs, which keeps the focus on the narrative rather than diverting it with numerous musical interludes.
Yet, as the film opened to viewers, it faced challenges at the box office. Preliminary estimates suggest ‘Deva’ amassed between Rs 4.25 to 4.75 crores, falling significantly short of its projected figures, which were around Rs 7 crore. Reports indicate minimal occupancy across theaters, with some shows reportedly cancelled due to poor attendance. While it maintains the potential for overnight growth, much will depend on audience feedback and word-of-mouth.
Considering the backdrop of the Indian film industry’s recent performances, these figures may not bode well for ‘Deva.’ Shahid’s previous film, ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya,’ had achieved considerably more success with figures reaching Rs 6.7 crores on its opening day. Comparisons to other films released around the same time suggest ‘Deva’ may end up ranking lower compared to competitors like Akshay Kumar’s ‘Sky Force,’ which has also claimed high box office numbers.
It’s worth noting, though, amid the flickering prospects, the film did come under the threat of piracy shortly after its release, with illegal copies surfacing across various platforms such as Tamilrockers and Filmyzilla, raising concerns for filmmakers about income loss and the integrity of the motion picture.
Despite its flaws and obstacles, many viewers have walked away noting ‘Deva’ as entertaining enough to merit watching, particularly for fans of Shahid Kapoor. The film weaves exciting action sequences with the exploration of darker themes inherent to its detective elements, still leaving many hoping for more developed subplots and enriched supporting roles.
Overall, ‘Deva’ stands as another addition to India’s growing catalog of action dramas, though it spells the need for introspection among filmmakers about balancing compelling narratives with broader audience appeal. It may be time to redefine expectations from remakes for Hindi cinema and not to miss opportunities to build on the solid foundation laid by their predecessors. Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5.