Deva Review: What Worked and What Didn`t
Mumbai Spirit and Star Intro
The opening tries to capture Mumbai`s essence and Bachchan`s stardom, but the hero`s introduction feels awkwardly green-screened.
Whodunnit Narrative
Director Andrrews adopts a whodunnit approach, piecing together the puzzle. However, the first half drags considerably.
Underutilised Cast
Hegde and Sait are severely underutilised, their presence feeling abrupt and almost unnecessary.
Inconsistent Action
The action sequences lack consistency, with key characters eliminated abruptly, reminiscent of Yudhra and Siddhant Chaturvedi.
Flawed Machismo
Kapoor`s "intense" portrayal feels hollow, filled with quips and one-liners, echoing Kabir Singh`s problematic masculinity.
Emotional Disconnect
The film prioritises being a crowd-pleaser, sacrificing emotional depth. Key emotional moments are glossed over.
Not a Remake (But Similar)
While claimed not to be a remake, the film shares core elements with the Malayalam movie Mumbai Police, though with a different setting.
Bachchan and Mumbai Homage Fails
Despite promises, the Bachchan homage is limited to two poster close-ups. Mumbai`s cinematography also disappoints, often feeling green-screened.
Dev-A and Dev-B
The film`s title and a character`s name change (Dev-A to Dev-B) feel contrived and unexplained.
Cliched Climax
Second half improves marginally, but the climax ditches the original`s vulnerability for a preachy ending, making it a predictable watch.