In Deva, Roshan Andrrews remakes his own daring and gripping Malayalam thriller, Mumbai Police (2013), delivering a decent and crowd-pleasing effort, albeit a downgraded version of the original.
The narrative unfolds non-linearly, following Deva (Shahid Kapoor), a ruthless and rebellious police officer who thrives on violence, unapologetically breaking bones and rules alike. Deva’s two closest friends, whom he considers brothers, are Farhan (Parvesh Rana), his senior and brother-in-law, and Rohan (Pavail Gulati), a righteous cop who abides by the rules and is his childhood buddy. After a high-profile murder, Deva embarks on a mission to solve the crime, which could potentially involve corrupt politicians, gangsters, or even members of the Mumbai Police. However, after managing to crack the case, Deva is about to reveal the culprit to Farhan over the phone when an accident leaves him temporarily amnesiac, halting the disclosure. As he retraces his past to solve the case again, he uncovers some disturbing truths about his department and himself.
Except for a few plot tweaks and character additions that do not work, the film largely follows the original story (to the point where some shots, scenes, and even dialogues are identical). The original lacked a proper female lead, so the filmmakers brought in Pooja Hegde, who plays Diya, but her role is largely insignificant. Her romantic angle with Deva is unconvincing, underdeveloped, or possibly edited down. Then there’s the final twist in the film, which deviates from the original but lacks the same emotional punch and surprise. It comes across as weak and contrived, as if the filmmakers were stringing plot threads together to reach a predetermined conclusion. Additionally, the screenplay loses momentum in the second half, weighed down by the filmmakers’ insistence on over-explaining every detail (the endless repetition of Rohan’s speech and its rehearsals became increasingly tiresome to watch).
However, the film stands out as an improvement, especially with its superior production values and refined technical execution. Amit Roy’s cinematography is exceptional in its depiction of Mumbai’s gritty and slimy underbelly, while Jake Bejoy’s score, which boasts a Maharashtrian influence, contributes to an immersive experience. The action scenes are expertly choreographed and executed, including the intense and high-stakes pursuit of a notorious gangster by the Mumbai Police in a shady part of town or the street brawl between Deva and thugs who attack him outside his home. Despite the film’s technical superiority, Deva fails to provide a satisfying upgrade, particularly for fans of the original. Although the movie tries to build intrigue by hinting at a different twist in the first 15 minutes, the payoff is ultimately unsatisfying. With all its stylish flair, the film seems to have abandoned its emotional soul, replacing emotional depth with empty bravado, following a safer, more commercial route that diminishes its true essence.
Shahid Kapoor anchors the film on his shoulders and delivers a commendable performance, extracting the best from the material he’s provided, despite his character lacking the depth and complexity that Prithviraj’s role had in Mumbai Police. He navigates the duality of his character with finesse—one side driven by fury and erratic behavior, the other marked by vulnerability as he grapples with memory loss and the effort to regain control. While his performance bursts with energy and chaos, it’s in the quiet, vulnerable moments that Shahid Kapoor truly shines, particularly in his emotional final scene with Rohan or during the chase where he’s unable to tap into aggression, letting his eyes speak volumes through their silence and intensity. Although not without merit, Deva fails to leave an impression—particularly on viewers who have seen the original—and adds to the endless stream of bland and forgettable remakes of South Indian films churned out by the Hindi film industry, which speaks volumes about the industry’s current creative stagnation and lack of originality.
Deva movie links: Letterboxd, Wikipedia
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