Deva – A Promising Character Study That Transforms Into a Divided Thriller

When Deva finally hit theatres, I walked in with genuine excitement. The teaser and trailer had already suggested something intriguing – Shahid Kapoor playing an unhinged, unpredictable, and morally blurry police officer looked like a refreshing step away from the conventional action-hero mould. The promise was of a gritty character-driven drama wrapped in a dark thriller tone. But after watching the full film, I walked away with mixed feelings – and I mean that in the most honest sense. There is a lot that works wonderfully, and there is a lot that changes so abruptly that I had to pause and process it. Let me break it down slowly, the way the film itself unfolds.

A Turbulent Cop at the Center of the Storm

At the heart of Deva is Dev Ambre – a Mumbai police officer who isn’t just good at his job, but someone who operates in a space where morality and legality are constantly at war. He’s the type of cop who delivers results, but the methods he prefers often raise eyebrows. You can almost feel the invisible rage simmering within him, ready to explode at any moment. And this violent unpredictability is what pushes the first half into highly compelling territory.

In the opening hour and a half, Dev is on a high-stakes mission to capture a notorious gangster who always slips out of his grasp. But the reason for those failed attempts becomes clear soon – someone inside Dev’s own department is a traitor. That sets up three clear dramatic tracks: catch the gangster, uncover the mole, and, following a tragedy, launch a full-scale investigation.

The structure is straightforward, but the entire first half thrives because of the personality of Dev Ambre. His presence is so gripping that even the simplest scenes feel electrified.

First Half: A Showcase of Shahid Kapoor’s Brilliance

You can split Deva into two clean halves – and the first half delivers exactly what the teaser promised. Dev’s dynamic with his close friend is beautifully layered, and his interactions with powerful politicians and gangsters show exactly the kind of cop he is. Even when insulted or mocked, he doesn’t burst out immediately. Instead, he gives those chilling pauses, the slow glare, those eyes that communicate enough violence to silence the entire room. I could feel the audience around me tense up every time he gave that look. The tone is clear: This is not a man you want to mess with.

And then there’s Shahid Kapoor.

No matter how much praise I shower on him, it still feels insufficient. The facial expressions, the stillness, the explosive unpredictability – everything about his performance feels carefully shaped. Shahid doesn’t need long dialogues or flashy fights. A single look from him is enough to intimidate characters and pull the audience straight into the scene. I genuinely felt my money’s worth just watching him embody Dev Ambre so convincingly.

There is one entire sequence where Dev enters the gangster’s territory. There is minimal exaggerated fighting, yet the tension is thick enough to slice. Every breath, every step, every stare he gives in that sequence establishes him as a complete badass. That stretch alone ranks among the biggest highlights of the film.

A Nostalgic Musical Touch

Right at the beginning, when the film plays the remix of “Are Deewano, Mujhe Pehchano,” my heart honestly felt warm. It is a song I grew up listening to during festivals, especially Ganpati, and I even remember dancing to it excitedly as a kid. The audience response around me made it clear that many Maharashtrians share this nostalgia. But I was genuinely surprised to learn that outside Maharashtra, a large number of people are not familiar with this track. Maybe, with Deva, more people will discover it.

The Crafting of a Rough, Edgy Persona

The film also emphasizes Dev’s image from the moment we meet him – the body language, the rugged look, the way he rides his bike, and the cigarettes he smokes almost nonstop. The makers even put a massive disclaimer in the beginning, and on-screen warnings about smoking and helmet safety appear repeatedly. The character’s recklessness is intentionally woven into the narrative, and Shahid owns it fully.

If the entire movie had stayed consistent with this rough, edgy character study, I would have confidently recommended it to people just for the experience of watching such a volatile character on screen. But then comes the second half – and everything changes.

Second Half: A Sudden Shift into a Different Movie

This is where the film takes a surprising turn. All the praise and excitement built around Dev in the first half suddenly dissolves. The film transitions sharply into a serious, investigative thriller. The tone, pacing, and even the emotional energy shift so drastically that it feels like you’re watching a completely different film that happens to have the same characters.

The investigation is not terrible. It is decent, it moves forward, and it definitely keeps you thinking. But compared to the intensity of the first half, the shift feels too drastic. Dev’s unique persona, which made the earlier part so compelling, begins to fade from the forefront. The film loses the very edge that made it exciting in the beginning.

And then there’s the twist.

On paper, the twist is clever. The idea of who did what and why is certainly good enough to linger in your mind long after the movie ends. Even while walking out of the theatre, I kept replaying several scenes in my head and thinking, “Ah, that’s why that happened.” But the emotional punch – the kind you feel in films like Drishyam or Maharaja – doesn’t land with full impact. The twist is thoughtful, but it’s not gut-wrenching or explosively dramatic. It remains intellectually interesting rather than emotionally shattering.

There was definite potential in the story, but the execution doesn’t fully capitalize on it.

Technical Shortcomings and the Green Screen Problem

Apart from the narrative dip, there is also a noticeable technical issue. Many shots in Deva clearly look like they were done on green screen. It’s not subtle, and it pulls you out of the immersion. In a film built on gritty realism and intense character moments, such visual inconsistencies stand out more sharply.

Still, I wouldn’t call Deva a bad film. Because while some parts fall short, several components still work effectively.

Action, Music, and an Overshadowing Lead Performance

The action sequences, though not excessive, pack the right amount of punch. Dev remains a character who steps into chaos and walks out with a silent storm behind him. The background score, particularly Deva’s theme, is energetic and elevates several moments significantly.

The supporting cast performs well, but Shahid Kapoor overshadows everyone – almost too easily. His presence is so powerful that it dominates every frame. And interestingly, his performance is so strong that the film didn’t need any unnecessary PR to prove it.

Is It a Remake? The Debate Continues

Before release, the internet was buzzing with comparisons to Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Malayalam film Mumbai Police (2013). Both films share the same director, which only intensified the conversation. I haven’t watched the Malayalam version, but after finishing Deva, I read its plot – and the similarities are undeniable. Whether the makers have officially acknowledged it as a remake remains unclear. It’s something the audience will certainly discuss.

Final Verdict: A Tale of Two Halves

If you were even mildly interested after watching Deva’s trailer or teaser, you can definitely give it a try. Just walk in knowing that the second half will steer the film in a completely different direction. The investigation portions are decent and will keep you hooked – but they do not match the raw impact of the first half.

In terms of content, it is mostly family-friendly. The only notable moment is a kissing scene at the start of the second half.

But if you are someone who strictly prefers watching original films, then exploring Mumbai Police might be a better choice.

Rating: 3/5

A gripping first half powered by Shahid Kapoor’s electrifying performance, weakened by a less intense second half – Deva remains worth a watch for the character it introduces, even if the film around him stumbles along the way.