Deva story:

The narrative of Deva, featuring Shahid Kapoor, centres on Dev Ambre, a fiery police officer who embarks on a prominent investigation, only to find himself ensnared in a perilous maze of deceit and treachery.

Deva review:

Since the announcement of Rosshan Andrrews' entry into Bollywood approximately two years ago, there has been considerable speculation regarding the film's status as a remake of the acclaimed Malayalam film Mumbai Police, which premiered in 2013. Despite the release of the trailer, which showcased numerous scenes that appeared to be directly lifted from the thriller starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, the producers have consistently asserted that Deva is not a remake. Having viewed the film, one might ponder whether Farhan Akhtar would assert that his adaptation of Don (2006) is not a remake of the screenplay by Salim Javed simply because he altered the ending.

The term "remake" often carries a negative connotation within the film industry, despite the fact that there is no inherent dishonour in drawing inspiration from existing works rather than solely relying on originality. Consequently, creators prefer to employ a more refined term, referring to their projects as "adaptations."

In this context, "Deva" serves as a subtle adaptation of "Mumbai Police," featuring Shahid Kapoor in the titular role of a police officer who struggles with anger management and unresolved issues stemming from his relationship with his father. This tumultuous background ultimately leads him to a career in law enforcement, where he finds himself in the ironic position of incarcerating his own father. This narrative is conveyed through dialogue regarding the protagonist's history. The plot oscillates between past and present as Dev Ambre experiences retrograde amnesia following an accident. A word of caution: wearing a helmet might have spared us from this cinematic experience.

Before long, a flashback immerses the audience in a narrative where Deva, a controversial police officer, perceives police brutality as the most effective means of addressing issues. He is depicted as relentless in his confrontations with both thuggish politicians and the most wanted criminal in Mumbai, who narrowly escapes capture during a raid by resorting to lethal explosives against law enforcement officers.

The film presents a character named Diya Sathye (Pooja Hegde), a crime journalist who suspects that there is an informant within the police force. She is determined to be the one to reveal this information to the public. This sentiment is expressed by her multiple times throughout the film, encapsulating her role and significance within the broader narrative.

Inspired by the Mumbai Police, the film is a suspenseful action thriller that reaches its peak in the final act. This structure was effective in the original Malayalam version, where the entire film benefited from a compelling climax. However, replicating that climax may diminish its impact over time. While it is possible to establish a benchmark and create multiple climaxes, they are unlikely to achieve the desired effect.

Deva alters the screenplay by revealing the events leading up to a police officer's death, which serves as the central plot point. Nevertheless, the pacing of the screenplay becomes sluggish, as it is narrated from the perspective of a man who has lost his memory after a motorcycle accident due to neglecting to wear a helmet.

I apologize if I am reiterating the film's opening scenes, as they are revisited throughout the middle and end. The narrative illustrates the struggle of a man attempting to regain his memory, resulting in a disorienting and slow progression, where every detail is crucial. Consequently, viewers are also presented with every fragment of information, as if they are experiencing amnesia themselves. It is likely that Deva's work will be forgotten after this film.

In the context of adaptations, it is crucial to implement course corrections effectively, ensuring that the narrative concludes without any unresolved issues. However, in the case of "Deva," the numerous loose ends create a complex web that complicates the film's already lengthy runtime. For instance, the character who vowed vengeance on his wife, whom Deva threatened with a firearm, is conspicuously absent. Similarly, the politician who openly warned Deva that he would not tolerate public humiliation also disappears from the narrative. This raises the question of how these adversaries conveniently leave the protagonist isolated during his struggle with memory loss.

These narrative inconsistencies could have aligned with the protagonist's intentions, yet they contribute to the overall shortcomings of "Dev-A." Following the accident, as the doctor notes, the character transitions to "Dev-B," retaining his physical abilities while experiencing significant psychological amnesia, a condition seemingly shared by his foes.

The film heavily emphasizes the plot's what and why, which, frankly, becomes apparent in the first half. This clarity is largely attributed to Shahid Kapoor's performance, which renders the storyline predictable, leading viewers to anticipate the film's conclusion to validate their assumptions.

Kapoor effectively portrays a character who is both erratic and unapologetic, as well as a confused individual compelled to unravel a mystery while grappling with memory loss and quickly returning to action post-accident. Nevertheless, his compelling performance subtly foreshadows the film's resolution.

It is worth noting that Rosshan Andrrews, who collaborated with the original writers Bobby and Sanjay from "Mumbai Police" for "Deva," has incorporated an additional screenplay by Arshad Syed and Sumit Arora, with dialogues crafted by Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal. Kapoor's portrayal of a character infused with a distinct Mumbai flavor is commendably executed. However, the absence of significant plot twists renders the adaptation somewhat disjointed, ultimately detracting from its effectiveness.

The other supporting characters, including Pravessh Rana, Pavail Gulatie, and Kubbra Sait, do their parts well with what little is offered. But if only course correction was done here, instead of concentrating on making Shahid, the towering, massy hero that the film heavily relies on. Having Amitabh Bachchan's mural from Deewaar constantly on the backdrop makes Shahid's "angry young man" aspiration just have an effect and doesn't prove it all along.

Pooja Hegde, the new addition to the cast who was absent from the original, fails to justify her presence in this iteration. Her attempts to uncover a mole are unsuccessful, highlighting that her journalistic skills are underutilized, much like her character as a whole.

The song "Bhasad Macha" introduces a maniacal cop, a character I wished to see more of throughout the film; however, only that singular dance sequence left a lasting impression. Conversely, the background score by Jakes Bejoy significantly enhances the film's overall atmosphere.

Nevertheless, Deva once again illustrates that a predictable twist does not change the fact that this is a remake.

Deva verdict:

Deva, labeled as an "adaptation," attempts to surpass its source material but ultimately finds itself in a futile pursuit of its own shadow. While Shahid Kapoor delivers a performance that showcases his established skills, the film itself suffers from a lack of coherence, neglecting to address its numerous loose ends.

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