Devara: Jr. NTR roars in a thunderous tale of power, revenge, and legacy!

In the mould of Bahubali (2015) and KGF (2018), Devara is an ambitiously mounted action extravaganza with Jr. NTR delivering a clap worthy act even as Saif Ali Khan makes his formidable foe.

Director Koratala Siva transports us to a different world; a mountainous terrain inhabited by a group of tribes for whom the sea is a medium of livelihood. Devara (Jr NTR) is the big boss there, winning the annual ritualistic wrestling duels and controlling the tribes indulging in smuggling activities.

Next, a righteous coastal guard reforms Devara and he orders his guys to go fishing instead of smuggling. Fair enough, say some. "No way!!", thunders his friend turned foe Bhaira (Saif Ali), who plots Devara's murder...

The film's first half is filled with some superlative action sequences. Particularly, the first robbery on a ship is a delight to watch on the big screen. Post interval, the focus shifts to Devara's son Vara (Jr. NTR in a double role) and later, meanders to his love story with the sexy village belle Thanga (Janhavi Kapoor). Can Vara carry forward Pappa Devara's virtuous legacy?!! Yes, no, we will know...

Jr. NTR is truly outstanding as Devara and Vara. He has successfully infused an individuality in to the father-son characters, something even a senior superstar couldn't achieve in a recent Bollywood potboiler. Saif Ali's performance is even better than his acclaimed villainous acts in his recent Hindi hits like Tanhaji (2020). He is pure evil in the role of Bhaira. Janhavi Kapoor is presented in an alluring way but the film doesn't explore her beyond the glamour.

Techinically brilliant with a lot of investment in the setting and character development, Devara gives you the mandatory twist in the tale towards the climax. It ends a tad abruptly but you understand the build-up to its sequel which promises a lot more. And like Bahubali, there's an unanswered question here....Ah, oh well!!

Ratings on some key aspects* :
1. Acting : 3.5/5
2. Direction : 3.5/5
3. Music : 3/5
4. Story, Screenplay and Dialogue : 3.5/5
5. Cinematography : 4/5
6. Editing : 2.5/5
7. Costume Design : 3.5/5
8. Special Effects and VFX : 3.5/5
9. Action : 4/5
10. Production Quality : 3.5/5

#SNRating for #Devara : 3 & 1/2 stars out of 5.

- Sumeet Nadkarni

* - The overall film rating is not a simple average of all ratings on key aspects but a weighted average of the ratings where some crucial aspects (like direction, acting, story and screenplay etc) are assigned more weightage than others.

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#SNRatings barometer:
1 star = Poor
1 & 1/2 star = Below average/ Avoidable
2 stars = Average
2 & 1/2 stars = Above average/ Risk it
3 stars = Good enough/ Endurable
3 & 1/2 stars = Definitely worth a watch
4 stars = Very good
5 stars = Masterpiece/ Outstanding.

2024 SNRatings. 

About Sumeet Nadkarni:

Sumeet Nadkarni is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a self-styled film critic by passion. He reviews Bollywood movies and OTT releases on his popular personal blog #SNRatings. His film-related articles have appeared in leading publications in India. With a keen eye for cinematic detail and a knack for insightful critiques, Sumeet brings a unique perspective to the world of Indian cinema. Follow him for the latest Bollywood insights and unbiased film reviews. #FilmCritique #BollywoodReviewer

 Also Read: ‘Devara’ diaries: NTR Jr’s nervousness, Saif Ali Khan’s excitement