Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, known for his unique script choices, brings forth a period action drama titled Devil, with the tagline “The British Secret Agent.” Directed and produced by Abhishek Nama, Let’s see how the film is.
Plot:
The story unfolds in Rasapadu, British Province, where the mysterious murder of Vijaya (Ammu Abhirami), a Zamindar’s daughter, occurs. Agent Devil (Kalyan Ram) is tasked by the British government to investigate the murder. As Devil delves deeper into the case, shocking revelations emerge. Simultaneously, Devil is assigned another mission called “Operation Tiger Hunt.” How are these connected? Who is behind Vijaya’s murder? The film uncovers these mysteries.
Performances and Technical Aspects:
Kalyan Ram delivers a commendable performance as Devil, fitting the role impeccably with the required tough attitude. fits into the character flawlessly, meeting all the demands required. Devil requires a tough demeanor with minimal emotional involvement, and Kalyan Ram pulls it off exceptionally well. His styling further enhances the character’s overall appeal, which he maintains consistently.
Samyuktha Menon, portraying Nyshadha, has a significant role, but unfortunately, her impact remains minimal. This is mainly due to how her character was developed and presented. Nonetheless, she performs adequately within those constraints. Malavika Nair has a brief role with a couple of crucial scenes, yet her portrayal lacks impact. If her role had been written with more depth, it could have significantly lifted pivotal moments. However, it ends up as a plain character with excessive buildup that leads to nothing substantial.
Regarding the technical aspects, the music composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar falls short of expectations. While his background score is decent, considering his recent works, more was anticipated. Soundar Rajan’s cinematography is well done, with stunning artwork that adds value to the film. However, the editing could have been improved for a better outcome. Srikanth Vissa’s story stands out as the biggest asset of Devil, especially with impactful dialogues related to patriotism and the hero’s character. Although the execution in the first half is subpar, the latter part of the movie is handled more effectively.
Analysis:
The film’s direction was initially led by Naveen Medaram and later taken over by Abhishek Nama, marking the producer’s directorial debut. “Devil” begins with an interesting setup, set against a British historical background, quickly plunging into a murder and an action sequence introducing Kalyan Ram. While not razor-sharp, it captures attention due to its unique setting.
The way the investigation unfolds is a mix of elements. It lacks a complete thrill or captivation, yet it doesn’t turn entirely dull. However, the main problem arises when crucial moments fail to make a lasting impact. For instance, when Devil encounters Samyuktha Menon in suspicious circumstances, the interaction lacks depth as he merely states his intention to uncover her motives and leaves. Similarly, certain romantic tracks seem forced and artificial.
A similar situation occurs with the portrayal of another female character, Malavika Nair. Despite initial anticipation, the revelation surrounding her role feels underwhelming. Additionally, a couple of songs seem out of place in the serious narrative and don’t blend well with the romantic storyline.
What keeps the audience engaged is the core plot connected to Nethaji and the codes associated with him. The action sequence before the interval works well, sparking interest for the second half despite earlier issues.
The second half starts promisingly, but the problems from the first half resurface. While some aspects related to the central plot work decently, attempts to bring thrills or elevate the story end up feeling lackluster. For instance, the heroine blindly trusting Devil and confessing everything, citing love and trust, feels overly simplistic.
Moments like the reveal of ‘Trivarna’ had potential but lacked the impactful delivery expected. Similarly, the revelation of a mole within the INA team lacks depth and complexity. However, intermittent drama surrounding the murder plot and certain action sequences manage to hold the audience’s attention.
Final Verdict:
Overall, Devil remains a watchable period action drama with an interesting premise and some compelling twists. Kalyan Ram’s performance shines, yet the film is hindered by a weak first half, including flat storytelling and subpar music. If overlooked, these flaws might still make it worth a watch.
Rating: 2.5/5
