Deva (2025) is a total Shahid Kapoor show | Deva Movie Review

The Technical Brilliance

The film has certain very strong aspects. The background score by Jakes Bejoy is really effective. So cool in places, riveting in parts and is perfect. Adds a lot to the thrills to the film. Then comes the cinematography by Amit Roy which is of a very high order. Few scenes are very interesting and thrilling due to the camera work. The BGM and the cinematography together elevate the film and make it more engrossing. The film’s writing is good at places but it misses out on few aspects, mainly in the finale. Such thrillers need a very strong climax to make it a feel-good film. The top priority in such films must be to leave no questions unanswered. Deva movie budget is said to be moderate and that is visible because the film is shot entirely in Mumbai. And there are only a handful of locations that have been shown in the film.

The Performances

Shahid Kapoor as Dev Ambre shines from frame one. His body language, aggression, no-nonsense attitude and everything else about his character is commendable. He is first rate and has done a commendable job. He is the best thing about the film and his character is well-written. The confrontation with Apte (Girish Kulkarni) on multiple occasions is a treat to watch. There are some scenes in the second half of the scene that show Shahid Kapoor’s superior skillset as an actor.

Pooja Hegde is pretty much the same and her role is very limited. She has very less to do and hence she is fair and there is nothing new about her performance. Pravesh Rana and Pavail Gulati make their presence felt. Girish Kulkarni and others shine in their respective roles. To sum it up, everyone is decent but Shahid Kapoor is the best.

Upendra Limaye makes a sudden appearance and that adds a lot of value. His dialogue delivery and humour works really well though the screentime is brief. From Animal to Deva, his love for guns and ammunition is patented stuff.

What works in Shahid Kapoor’s Deva movie?

The answer is simple and that’s Shahid Kapoor. There are two songs titled Bhasad Macha and one Marji Cha Maalik, both the songs are good. While we get to see Shahid Kapoor dance in Bhasad Macha, Marji Cha Maalik elevates Shahid Kapoor’s moments in the film. But the dance moves are phenomenal.

There is a sense of curiosity right till the end and the audience is involved in the serpentine twists and turns but the dip is felt towards the climax. Imagine, if a film like Drishyam or Maharaja, has a climax that does not blow your mind, will the other merits add up? That’s exactly the case with Deva. There are merits but the climax doesn’t hit that hard and that’s subjective. You may be someone who might enjoy the same climax. Hence, the box office prospects of Deva Movie depend a lot upon how well the climax is received. If the climax is liked by the masses, the film might work but it caters to a very niche audience and mostly the urban section. The first half is for the masses but the second half is strictly for the classes.

Box Office Opening Note

The film’s opening is weak and all eyes will be on the weekend’s performance and then the hold on weekdays. Deva movie day wise box office collection report will be available on Inside Box Office shortly. The opening in India and overseas both are not up to the mark. Plus, the audience has made a perception that such thrillers are made for OTT platforms only. Deva is running with Sky Force which is Akshay Kumar’s comeback film and is enjoying solid word of mouth. Deva vs Sky Force Box Office fever has taken over social media and there are comparisons. Deva 2025 Film has very limited scope to be a huge success due to the appeal it has. And nowadays, films that don’t open well, barely have a chance at the box office but Deva is a decent film and could have some takers.