Movie Review: ‘Devil’

Kalyan Ram consistently brings distinctive scripts to the theatres, and this time around, he presents a period drama titled ‘Devil.’ Following the positive reception of his recent venture, ‘Bimbisara,’ audiences are eagerly anticipating that Kalyan Ram will captivate them once again with Devil.

Story:

The central plot revolves around the British Empire’s pursuit of Subhash Chandra Bose and his key associate, ‘Trivarna.’ The narrative then transitions to Rasapadu, a British province, where Vijaya (Ammu Abhirami), the daughter of a Zamindar, meets a mysterious demise. In response, the British government assigns Agent Devil (Kalyan Ram) the task of unravelling the murder mystery. As Devil investigates in Rasapadu, he uncovers surprising revelations while following Nyshadha (Samyuktha Menon), the Zamindar’s niece.

Subsequently, Devil is entrusted with a new mission titled “Operation Tiger Hunt” aimed at capturing Subhash Chandra Bose. Members of the Indian National Army (INA) and ‘Trivarna’ covertly collaborate with Bose, sharing crucial British secrets to ensure his safety. The British launch a relentless pursuit to eliminate ‘Trivarna,’ who remains elusive and unseen. The film delves into the nature of this fresh mission, unveiling the truth behind Vijaya’s murder and establishing a compelling connection between her death and the objectives of Operation Tiger Hunt. The remaining storyline explores whether the British successfully apprehends Bose and his right-hand person, ‘Trivarna,’ or if they manage to evade capture.

Screenplay and Analysis:

The initial half of ‘Devil’ unfolds swiftly, maintaining suspense with each unfolding event in the murder mystery. The audience becomes engrossed as the Devil pursues Nyshadha, a plot element handled intriguingly. However, the subsequent scenes take an illogical turn. The first half concludes on a compelling note, casting the Devil in a negative light to the British. Viewers are left pondering how he managed to protect Nyshadha from the goons sent by the British despite ostensibly working for them.

The second half commences with the Devil, clarifying his actions in saving Nyshadha. Immersed in his rationale and strategy to apprehend Subhash Chandra Bose, the British entrust him with ‘Operation Tiger Hunt.’ However, the ensuing scenes become lacklustre and repetitive. A notable shortcoming of ‘Devil’ lies in its lack of emotional depth, making it challenging for the audience to invest in the protagonist emotionally. Despite this, the film is salvaged by its suspenseful narrative and intricate mind games that engage the viewers.

Acting:

Kalyan Ram excels in the action sequences, carrying the entire weight of the film on his shoulders. Malvika Nair commands attention with her compelling performance, whether in action sequences or emotional scenes. Samyutha Menon, portraying Nyshadha, delivers a commendable performance. Satya adds humour to the narrative with well-timed comedic moments, while Ajay performs capably in his minor role. English actors Edward Sonnenblick and Mark Bennington, who portrayed British officers, contributed effectively to the film with their fine performances.

Technical Departments:

The director skillfully sustains suspense throughout the movie, preventing any moments of boredom for the audience. The background score by Harshavardhan Rameshwar stands out as a significant asset, enhancing the overall atmosphere, particularly in the action sequences. However, the two songs are deemed average. The computer-generated imagery (CG) falls short, especially when compared to the standards set by films like RRR; in comparison, it may be perceived as lacking sophistication.

Plus Points:

• Kalyan Ram’s performance
• Background music
• Suspense elements

Minus Points:

• Repetitive Scenes
• Few Illogical, predictable Scenes
• CG work

Bottom Line: Prominent plot unfolds in a foreseeable manner