DEVA is a Thriller With a Twist You Won’t See Coming

If “DEVA” were a psychological thriller, its plot twist would rival The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Trust me, I didn’t see the end coming!

Written by Sumit Arora and directed by Roshan Andrews, DEVA debuted in theaters on January 31, 2025, and has been streaming on Netflix since March 28, 2025. 

Synopsis (Possible Spoilers Ahead)

Shahid Kapoor stars as Deva, a police officer who operates by his own set of rules. Alongside his team, including Deputy Commissioner Farhan (Pravessh Rana), he’s on a mission to capture the notorious gangster Prabhat Jadhav (Manish Wadhwa), whose reign of terror in Mumbai has everyone on edge. But a tragedy changes the course of the investigation, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. Want to know more? Grab some popcorn and settle in for this action-packed thriller!

My Take

At nearly 2 hours and 34 minutes, the film’s lengthy runtime could drag for some viewers, especially with the first few minutes spent on credits and disclaimers. Bollywood really needs to ditch this tradition and dive straight into the action.

That said, once the story takes off, it’s an exciting ride. Shahid Kapoor delivers an impressive performance, bringing charm and swag to his role as Deva. The plot, direction, and the twist are well-crafted, keeping things fresh and engaging. The movie tackles timely issues like police brutality, political corruption, and betrayal—classic themes that work well within this gripping narrative.

The cinematography and sound design were fantastic, with great tension-building moments. However, character development could get confusing at times, so keep your attention sharp to follow who’s who.

While the movie offers plenty of thrills, there are a few hiccups: 

1. The amnesia plot device feels a bit too convenient, and it’s used to justify the film’s long runtime.

2. How does Deva forget everything but still remember Rohan’s fiancée’s name? Seems a little far-fetched.

3. Some actions don’t feel fully coordinated with the plot, especially during the pursuit scenes.

4. The emotional impact in the final act doesn’t hit as hard as it should, given the big reveal.

5. Who exactly attacked Deva? The film doesn’t fully clarify.

6. Rohan’s family is underdeveloped, and their reactions, especially at the end, are lacking.

Despite these flaws, DEVA is entertaining, thought-provoking, and worth watching. It skillfully explores societal issues and leaves a lasting impression. Highly recommend, but be ready for a few bumps along the way.