Why did Katappa kill Baahubali? That unforgettable question left fans eagerly awaiting the sequel to Baahubali: The Beginning. Similarly, in Devara (Devara Part-1), Koratala Siva attempts to recreate that suspenseful magic with another mystery: Why did the son kill his father? However, as the film progresses, the storytelling and direction stumble, leaving viewers unsatisfied by the time the climax arrives.

The Story Set in the 90s

Devara takes place in 1996, starting with a high-stakes meeting in Mumbai involving senior police officers, the Home Minister, and the RAW chief. India is hosting the Cricket World Cup, but intelligence agencies suspect that gangster brothers Daya and Yeti are plotting something big. This leads the police to Ratnagiri, a village on the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border, where smuggler Murgan (Murali Sharma) operates a vast illegal arms business.

Ratnagiri’s coastal area, known as Lal Samundar, is a hub of criminal activity. However, Devra (Junior NTR), a local leader, takes a stand against Murgan after a tragic incident in the village. Bhaira (Saif Ali Khan), the head of a neighboring village, feels threatened by Devra and conspires against him. When Bhaira’s plans go awry, Devra mysteriously disappears.

The story then jumps ahead 12 years, shifting focus to Devra’s son Vara (also Junior NTR), who is not the fearless leader his father was. As secrets unfold, the question of why Vara turned against his father becomes the central intrigue.

Storytelling Falters After a Promising Start

Despite the grand setup, Devara stumbles in its storytelling. Koratala Siva tries to blend action, drama, and emotion but fails to develop key characters like Bhaira, Vara, Rayappa, and Murugan. The first half builds Devra’s legendary status, portraying him as a protector of the seas, but the plot loses steam after the interval.

There are moments of excitement, particularly Devra’s dramatic water emergence and his fight with Bhaira during the Shastra Puja. However, some scenes, such as the unnecessary romantic song between Vara and Thangam (Janhvi Kapoor), feel like they were added just for the sake of it. The film’s pacing drags, with certain scenes unnecessarily stretched, and the focus on only two characters (Devra and Bhaira) leaves much to be desired.

The film’s Hindi dialogues also lack the local flavor, making the setting feel less authentic, and the gangster subplot from the beginning gets lost as the story moves along.

Performances

After the success of RRR, Junior NTR returns in a dual role as Devra and his son Vara. While his portrayal of Devra stands out, his performance as Vara fails to leave the same impact, mostly due to weak character writing. Saif Ali Khan, in his debut South Indian role as Bhaira, brings intensity but lacks the regional essence. Janhvi Kapoor’s character, unfortunately, is limited to a song and a few scenes, leaving her with little room to shine.

Supporting actors like Srikanth, Murali Sharma, Abhimanyu Singh, and Zarina Wahab deliver solid performances but suffer from underdeveloped characters.

Cinematography and Music: The Film’s Saving Grace

Visually, Devara is spectacular, with cinematographer Ratnavelu delivering stunning shots, especially during the film’s action sequences. The music is another highlight, with foot-tapping beats that keep the energy high. However, these strengths can’t completely compensate for the film’s narrative flaws.

A Waiting Game for Part 2

Despite the weak storyline, Devara offers enough action and visual splendor to keep fans engaged. However, many questions remain unanswered, leaving audiences anticipating the second part, set to release next year. If Devara Part 2 manages to tighten the narrative and give more depth to its characters, it might just redeem the franchise. Until then, the suspense lingers.