Title: Devara: Part 1

Director: Koratala Siva

Cast: NTR Jr., Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shruti Marathe, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Shine Tom Chacko, Narain, Kalaiyarasan, Murali Sharma, Zarina Wahab

Where to watch: In theatres near you

Rating: 3 stars

At the very onset, it’s best to park logic at the door and strap in for a ride designed for the masses. This is not a film that concerns itself with minor inconveniences like subtlety or realism. No, this is a full-blown spectacle, bursting at the seams with larger-than-life characters and a bloated narrative that typifies a magnum opus. The film embraces cinematic liberties with gay abandon, much like a pirate plundering in the deep sea, and questioning its sensibilities would be as pointless as questioning the laws of physics in a superhero flick—futile, really, because some things are just meant to be enjoyed.

The nearly 10-minute prologue itself is a verbose declaration of what’s to come – an ambitious 2-hour-45-minute narrative of good versus bad. Set on the Western coast of India during the late 1980s, the plot unfolds like a legend being passed down from generation to generation, dripping with tradition, machismo, and the smell of the sea.

The tale revolves around Devara (NTR Jr.), a fearless leader of a seafaring community who, much to the dismay of his brethren, decides that aiding smugglers might not be the most virtuous calling. This moral awakening sets him on a collision course with Bhaira (Saif Ali Khan), who, once like a brother to Devara, now feels deeply betrayed and cheated by his sudden change of heart, turning their bond into a bitter rivalry.

The first half is an all-out showcase for NTR Jr., who is introduced with adrenaline-pumping fanfare that could resurrect the dead. Action-packed sequences, replete with a myriad of well-choreographed shots and pulsating music, cement his legendary status. Whether dispatching over two dozen attackers on the beach or emerging victorious from the waves like a mythic hero, Devara is the epitome of the larger-than-life protagonist. But the real cherry on top is the fact that, in the middle of these impossibly choreographed skirmishes, our hero finds time to splash water on his face – because of course, one must always look serious while fending off attackers.

The second half sees a 12-year leap and a noticeable tone shift, focusing more on Devara’s son, Vara (also NTR Jr., for maximum effect), who despite being timid, carries forward his father’s legacy. This section dips into romance, emotion, and songs – lighter and more engaging, perhaps, but still peppered with absurdly entertaining moments.

Visually, the film is a feast. Every frame is atmospheric, poster-worthy, and gorgeous to behold. You’d almost want to frame a few shots if it weren’t for the jarring clash between the supposed 1980s setting and the distinctly medieval set design. It’s a strange but oddly amusing oversight.

NTR Jr. tackles both roles with flair, though the script offers little depth beyond the surface. Saif Ali Khan, as Bhaira, plays his part with sincerity, though he essentially recycles his villainous act from previous roles. Janhvi Kapoor, unfortunately, is woefully underutilized, reduced to being little more than arm candy.

Overall, the film is a spectacle – bloated, brash, and utterly unapologetic about the narrative. You might laugh, you might roll your eyes, but you won’t look away.

After much anticipation and hype, Devara, starring ‘Man of Masses’ Jr NTR released in theatres on September 27, Friday, however, it witnessed an unpleasant start in Hyderabad. A massive cut-out of the Tollywood star was set on fire by an unruly mob, alarming the locals and authorities of the region.

Scary visuals of the shocking incident have now gone viral online in which a massive cut-out of Jr NTR, erected outside the Sudharshan Theatre in Hyderabad can be seen being lapped up in flames. As per reports, excited fans were bursting crackers outside the theatre to celebrate the release of Devara and that is when the cut-out caught fire.

Hundreds of fans had gathered at the spot and as the cut-out was set ablaze, the crowd went berserk, trying to escape the area. Local authorities and fire brigade rushed to the spot and they were fortunately able to douse the fire before it spread to other parts of the theatre.

No injuries have been reported, but authorities have now asked people to not gather and burst crackers outside theatres to avoid any untoward incident.

Devara released in theatres on Friday and it opened to mixed review from the masses. The film also marks the Telugu debut of Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan.

Recently, a pre-release event of the film in Hyderabad also had to be cancelled last minute after a massive crowd thronged the venue resulting into chaos and overcrowding. Jr NTR had later expressed his disappointment and had stated, “I enjoy spending time with you and sharing many interesting details about Devara. I was excited to share many details about Devara and explain the efforts put into the film. But, the event couldn’t happen due to security reasons. I share your disappointment. My pain is more than yours.”

“In my opinion, it is wrong to blame the producers or organizers for the cancellation of the event,” he added.

Siddhant Chaturvedi’s much-awaited action film Yudhra was released on September 20, 2024. It also stars Malavika Mohanan in the lead, which marks her debut in Bollywood, the film also features Raghav Juyal, Gajraj Rao, Ram Kapoor, Raj Arjun and Shilpa Shukla, among others.

The action film had a promising start at the box office and collected Rs 4.52 crore on its opening day at the domestic box office, the makers said on Saturday. “Its never-before-seen action sequences have captivated audiences, resulting in an impressive opening at the box office with a whopping Rs 4.52 crore,” the makers said in a press note.

Directed by Ravi Udyawar, the film is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment. Yudhra marks Siddhant Chaturvedi’s debut as a solo lead and his first venture into the action genre.

Speaking about the comparisons with Animal and Kill in terms of action, the actor told DNA, “We were ahead of the curve in 2019 when I signed the film. But the pandemic happened and we couldn’t get the international crew to shoot here. Logistically, Logistically we couldn’t start. By that time we saw there were a lot of action films coming out. But none of it is similar or in the same zone. A lot of people might compare it but you can’t. When you watch this film, you’ll realise it’s a totally different animal.”

In Yudhra, Siddhant plays the role of a man who struggles with anger issues and is later assigned to go undercover to bring down the powerful drug syndicate by Firoz (Raj Arun) and Shafiq (Raghav).