Devil Movie Review
Devil Movie Poster
Emotional Engagement Emoji
“Devil: The British Secret Agent” is a Telugu-language drama film written by Srikanth Vissa and directed by Abhishek Nama. Produced by Abhishek Nama and Devansh Nama under Abhishek Pictures, it stars Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, Samyuktha Menon, and Elnaaz Norouzi. The music is composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar, cinematography is handled by Soundar Rajan. S, and editing is done by Tammiraju. The movie was released today amidst high expectations fueled by the movie trailer and surrounding controversies. Let’s assess whether the movie lives up to the expectations and is worth the audience’s time and money.
Story:
The story unfolds in Rasapadu, a British Province, where a Zamindar’s daughter named Vijaya (played by Ammu Abhirami) is mysteriously murdered. In response, the British government assigns Agent Devil (portrayed by Kalyan Ram) to investigate this perplexing crime. As Devil delves into the details in Rasapadu, he uncovers startling revelations. Eventually, Devil is handed another mission called “Operation Tiger Hunt.” The plot takes a turn, raising questions about the nature of this new mission, the identity of Vijaya’s killer, and the connection between her murder and the fresh assignment. To find out the answers, you’ll need to watch the film.
Devil Movie Poster
Analysis:
Crafting an engaging spy movie is no small task, particularly for Telugu filmmakers dealing with recent genre challenges. Adding the complexity of a period spy thriller, writer Srikanth Vissa skillfully blends murder investigation with a British-era spy storyline. The basic plot shows promise, initiating with an intriguing Sherlock Holmes-style investigation that, while not overly thrilling, sets the mood for the unfolding spy events.
The film introduces Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and secret Indian support in the Madras presidency, instilling a patriotic element into the espionage narrative. However, effective narration falls short, and despite potential twists, the storytelling lacks depth. The movie struggles with predictability, from identifying the British mole to the hero’s twist. While the first half feels dragged, the rushed events towards the end result in a lack of engagement. Despite Kalyan Ram’s commendable performance and impressive production design, “Devil” falls short as a satisfying watch due to its flat storytelling and ineffective handling.
Highs:
- Performances
- The artwork and visuals are outstanding.
- Storyline
Lows:
- Love story
- Too many twists
- Less drama
Technical Aspects:
The songs by Harshavardhan Rameshwar may not stand out, but his background score is decent. Soundar Rajan’s cinematography is neat, complemented by striking artwork that adds value to the film. However, the editing could have been improved. The standout aspect is Srikanth Vissa’s story, which proves to be the film’s greatest asset. His impactful dialogues, especially those centered on patriotism and the hero’s character, are praiseworthy. Despite a subpar execution in the first half, the latter part of the movie is more skillfully handled.
Verdict:
“Devil” aims for a period spy thriller but falls short, lacking excitement and depth in its story. Kalyan Ram’s good performance and impressive design aren’t enough to make up for the predictable plot and missed emotional opportunities. Overall, it may not fully satisfy viewers but it is watchable for this weekend.
Movie Title: Devil
Banner: Abhishek Pictures
Release Date: 29-12-2023
Censor Rating: “U/A”
Cast: Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, Samyuktha Menon,Malavika Nair
Directed by: Abhishek Nama
Music: Harshavardhan Rameshwar
Cinematography: Soundar Rajan.S
Editing: Tammiraju
Producer: Abhishek Nama
Nizam Distributor: Global Cinema
Runtime: 150 minutes
