Devara Part 1 Review: Jr NTR and Saif Ali Khan shine in a visually stunning, predictable drama
Devara Part 1 Review: Jr NTR, known as the 'Man of the Masses,' makes his solo return to the big screen after six years with Koratala Siva's Devara. The film, now split into two parts, revolves around the theme of fear and its effects across generations. Let’s dive into the details of this action-packed drama.
Plot Overview of 'Devara: Part 1'
Set in 1996, the movie follows a police officer named Ajay, who is on a mission to track down criminals, Daya and Yethi. His search takes him to Singappa (played by Prakash Raj) in the coastal village of Errasamudram, who narrates the story of Devara (Jr NTR) and his ruthless brother, Bhaira (Saif Ali Khan).
In flashbacks to the 1970s, Devara is portrayed as a righteous pirate leader who leads a group that loots cargo ships. However, he begins to question his path when he realizes that innocent lives are being affected. Bhaira, on the other hand, embraces brutality and opposes Devara’s decision to stop the looting, creating a deadly rivalry that drives the film forward.
Visual Brilliance but a Predictable Script
Director Koratala Siva comes back with Devara after the disappointing box office performance of his previous film Acharya. Visually, the world of Devara is grand and stunning, thanks to cinematographer R. Rathnavelu. The color palette, dominated by blue and red tones, masterfully conveys the emotional and psychological depth of the characters. However, while the theme of fear is strong and compelling on paper, the overall plot falls into predictable tropes.
Performance Analysis
The highlight of Devara: Part 1 is Jr NTR's dual performance as both Devara and his son, Vara. He commands the screen with his charisma and presence. Saif Ali Khan also delivers a solid performance as the brutal villain, Bhaira, matching NTR's intensity.
However, Janhvi Kapoor’s role as Thangam is more of a cameo and adds little to the narrative. Her character seems underdeveloped, but there is hope that her role will be expanded in the second part.
Too Much Packed in with Little Payoff
With a runtime of 2 hours and 57 minutes, Devara: Part 1 packs in a lot, including backstories, a rivalry, and emotional arcs. However, this cluttered storytelling results in an inability to deeply connect with the characters’ emotional moments. The romantic track between Thangam and Vara feels underwhelming, while the emotional quotient falls short of engaging the audience fully.
Music and Cinematography
Anirudh Ravichander's background score adds an extra layer of drama and elevates some key scenes, but the songs themselves act as speed bumps to the narrative. Cinematography remains one of the strongest assets of the film, making every frame visually captivating.
Final Verdict of the Film 'Devara: Part 1'
Though Devara: Part 1 offers visually stunning sequences and standout performances from Jr NTR and Saif Ali Khan, the film’s predictability and overloaded storyline prevent it from fully delivering on its ambitious premise. The cliffhanger ending leaves room for improvement in the second part, but it also raises the question of whether the film needed two parts in the first place.
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