Devara Part 1: A Spectacular Dive Into Coastal Action
If you’re after spectacle, Devara Part 1 fires on all cylinders. Directed by Koratala Siva, this film plants you deep inside the raw, salty air of India’s coastal underbelly, where Jr NTR storms in as Devara, a local leader caught between crime and conscience. The opening forty minutes waste no time. Jr NTR bursts onto the screen, confronting both external threats and that uneasy feeling of what’s really right for his people. As smuggling sweeps through the village, Devara’s journey from reluctant participant to moral resistor gives the first half an edge. Each action set piece feels huge, from gritty dockyard skirmishes to the slow-burn tension leading up to the intermission.
Saif Ali Khan carves out a memorable presence as Bhaira, Devara’s brother and his main headache. Bhaira’s cunning plans and hungry ambition push the story toward family betrayal. Yet, even with such explosive characters, the film sometimes settles for the obvious. A particular highlight is the stunning mid-film showdown—cinematographer R. Rathnavelu delivers visuals that are both lush and tense, turning the coastline into a character by itself.
Cracks Beneath the Surface: Narrative and Characters
Despite all the bombast, Devara Part 1 reveals some cracks. The second half can’t sustain the early momentum. Scenes that should feel urgent stretch out, and you can start to predict the story beats from a mile away. Janhvi Kapoor’s role brings needed softness and color, but her character doesn’t really grow—a missed opportunity given the film’s ambitions. Prakash Raj and Srikanth handle their roles with skill, adding flavour to the ensemble, but even their arcs hang in the shadow of Jr NTR’s magnetic screen presence.
The art direction impresses throughout, painting a rugged, believable world. Action choreography is wild and gritty—fans of epic hand-to-hand fights will eat it up. Still, the story sometimes prioritizes crowd-pleasing moments over authentic emotion, making it hard to care when the stakes are highest. When the movie hurtles toward its climactic finale, the scale is grand, but the emotional payoff is missing. Instead of a jaw-dropper, the supposed twist signals more fireworks in the already-announced Part 2, leaving some viewers impatient but still curious.
At its best, Devara Part 1 is a feast for the eyes, packed with high-octane entertainment and Jr NTR at his charismatic best. It’s not without flaws—especially when it comes to depth and pacing—but it sets a bold stage for the sequel, and for many, that’s reason enough to watch.