BOTTOM LINE
Shahid Fire, Director Misfire
RATING
2/5
CENSOR
U/A, 2h 36m
What Is the Film About?
Dev Ambre, a no-nonsense fiery cop, meets with an accident while nearly cracking a high-profile investigation involving a fellow officer and a dear friend Rohan. After a partial memory loss, he returns to work and is asked to piece together crucial details around the case. He needs to come to terms with himself and his problematic past to find answers. Where does this quest lead him?
Performances
Regardless of a film’s fate, Shahid Kapoor continues to outdo himself as a performer with every project. The kind of versatility has brought to his portrayals in Jersey, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya and now Deva are true testimony to his range. Pooja Hegde has a crucial role, yet with minimal screentime but she performs reasonably well within its limitations.
Analysis
The fact that the core idea of a popular film made in 2013 feels as today and gripping in an adaptation revisited nearly 12 years later, speaks enough of its calibre. As speculated, Deva is indeed the remake of Prithviraj’s Malayalam cop drama Mumbai Police. It helps that the director of the original – Roshan Andrews – is entrusted with the remake, which has a distinct tone and treatment.
The basic premise of Deva remains the same as Mumbai Police – a cop looks back at various episodes of his past to find the culprit behind the murder of a colleague. While approaching the case with a new lens after an accident (where he has memory loss), he fights his inner demons and reexamines his relationships with close aides and the revelations leave him dumbfounded.
While keeping the soul of the story intact, Roshan Andrews gives a complete makeover to his protagonist’s personality. Unlike the original, which aimed to be a classy psychological thriller, the director is upfront about making an out-and-out masala film. Dev Ambre is a homage to the Amitabh Bachchan of the 70s, unapologetic about his ways – rebellious while staying within the system.
Though Dev feels like a hero in his head, with the blatant show of his machismo, caring two hoots for diplomacy (or do we say ‘attitude’?), he isn’t without his flaws. He doesn’t think too hard about morality, raises a middle finger to norms, flirts with danger often, has flings with multiple women while being in a relationship. Yet his partner Diya believes he has the heart of a child.
Even those who’ve watched Mumbai Police are likely to be surprised by Deva’s raw intensity (more so in the first hour) – primarily due to a fireball of intensity called Shahid Kapoor who liberates himself as an actor and has great fun on the screen. The no-holds-barred histrionics and dialogues are so impactful that they make you look past the role’s perversions and Kabir Singh-like anger issues.
The action choreography has a vigour that Hindi cinema has missed in recent years. Moreover, the complexity and the messiness in the interpersonal relationships, enriched by solid detail in the investigation, help you relish its vibe (at least, initially). However, once the premise is established, say halfway into the film, as Dev sobers down, the momentum is compromised.
The writing, sans any doubt, continues to be impressive in the latter portions but you get a feeling that the film is slipping away gradually. The drastic change in treatment between both halves is an issue and one can’t help but feel slightly underwhelmed. However, all such thoughts vanish in the good third act – a fantastic pre-climax scene involving Dev and Rohan, where the drama soars.
It’s also interesting that a lead character in a massy film tries to look within and analyse his follies – before and after an accident. The self-pride, which was once Deva’s customary trait, takes a beating in the second half and it’s refreshing to see a cop tale explore it efficiently. The changes in the climax (of Mumbai Police) are decent (if not great), adapting to the protagonist’s characterisation.
The below-the-belt joke about Sunita/Savita bhabhi was unnecessary in the context of the film. The way Diya’s professional identity as a journalist is integrated into the remake is appreciable. However, the women (much like the original) still don’t have a major say in the pivotal moments of the film. The idea to end the film with an action sequence set in a jail gives it a newfound energy.
Deva is not a bad film overall. The pacy first half, Shahid’s performance are its main positives, but the second half is a letdown. Those unfamiliar with the original might find it better. This film is another reminder of stop doing remakes.
Performances by Others Actors
Pavail Gulati and Parvesh Rana make the most of the opportunity to essay well-crafted, roles and get adequate moments to shine. Girish Kulkarni lends a unique appeal to Jairaj Apte’s portrayal. Kubbra Sait is aptly cast for her part, though it doesn’t add much value to the story. Upendra Limaye is entertaining in a role that largely reminds you of his timing in Animal.
Music and Other Departments?
Among the songs, Vishal Mishra’s Bhasad Macha is a catchy dance track that infuses life into a wedding sequence. Fresh after Saripodha Sanivaaram, Jakes Bejoy matches the raw tempo of the film with an energetic score. Amit Roy’s cinematography and his unique lighting patterns, in tandem with Sreekar Prasad’s unconventional editing parts give Deva an edge on the technical front. The dialogues add flavour to the film (mostly in the first half).
Highlights?
Shahid Kapoor’s first-class performance
Action choreography, technical finesse
Gripping first half
Drawbacks?
Loses direction in the second half
The sudden change in the treatment
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts
Will You Recommend It?
Only if you haven’t watched the original Mumbai Police and enjoy cop thrillers that require patience.
Deva 2025 Hindi Review by M9
