Devara: Part 1, directed by Koratala Siva and starring Jr NTR, hit the screens on September 27, 2024, with fans eagerly flocking to theaters worldwide. Anticipation for this high-budget action drama was sky-high, given Jr NTR’s recent success. While the film has delivered thrilling action and commendable performances, it has not escaped criticism for its predictable plot and pacing issues.

Jr NTR shines in dual roles

Jr NTR’s portrayal of two central characters, Devara and his son Vara, has been widely praised. His ability to switch between the strong, righteous Devara and the innocent, conflicted Vara adds depth to the narrative. Critics have pointed out that Jr NTR carries the film with his performance, seamlessly balancing emotional scenes with action-packed sequences. The contrast between Devara’s ferocity and Vara’s helplessness is central to the movie’s appeal, making Jr NTR the standout aspect of the film.

Predictable story undermines thrilling action

Despite Jr NTR’s powerful performance, Devara: Part 1 struggles with a predictable storyline. The film is set in Ratnagiri, a coastal village where Devara and Bhaira (played by Saif Ali Khan) are involved in smuggling. A conflict arises when Devara wants to leave the criminal world behind, leading to his eventual disappearance. The story picks up twelve years later with Bhaira ruling the village and Vara caught in the middle of their conflict. The plot twists, including Bhaira’s relentless search for Devara, feel recycled, with little innovation to keep audiences guessing.

Though the first half of Devara is action-heavy and engaging, the second half drags, with scenes that feel unnecessarily extended. Many viewers felt the pacing in the latter part of the movie detracted from the overall experience. While action sequences kept the audience entertained, the slow narrative progression frustrated some fans.

Saif Ali Khan makes a strong debut in Tollywood

Saif Ali Khan, making his Telugu debut as the antagonist Bhaira, has also received positive feedback for his portrayal of the villain. His character is driven by revenge, and Khan plays him with just the right amount of menace. However, critics argue that Bhaira’s role loses impact in the second half, where his character arc could have been better developed. While Bhaira starts as a formidable foe, the character is written into a corner by the film’s end, which undermines his earlier strength.

Expert opinion: A flawed but ambitious effort

Film analysts commented that Devara: Part 1 succeeds in its technical aspects, such as action choreography, cinematography, and music, but suffers from weak storytelling. They believe that the visual grandeur provided by R. Rathnavelu’s cinematography and Anirudh Ravichander’s music added layers of excitement to an otherwise predictable narrative. It has also been noted that while Koratala Siva’s direction was strong in creating tense moments, the screenplay could have been tighter, especially in the second half.

Janhvi Kapoor’s presence as the female lead was minimal, with many fans expressing disappointment at her limited screen time. Her interactions with Jr NTR are light-hearted but do little to advance the plot. This, combined with the underdevelopment of several supporting characters, weakened the film’s emotional core.

The future of the Devara franchise

Devara: Part 1 is only the first installment of the planned two-part series. While the film sets up an intriguing premise for its sequel, it leaves many questions unanswered. Viewers are left wondering whether the predictability of the first part will carry over into the second or whether the filmmakers will take the opportunity to elevate the narrative.

Despite its flaws, Devara is expected to perform well at the box office, particularly due to Jr NTR’s massive fan base. With a budget that rivals some of the biggest productions in Indian cinema, the film’s success is likely to be gauged by its overall box-office earnings rather than just critical reception.

  Anirudh Ravichander, Devara, Janhvi Kapoor, Jr NTR, Koratala Siva, R Rathnavelu, Ratnagiri, Saif Ali Khan, Sudhakar Mikkilineni, Telugu Cinema