Devara: Part 1

Devara: Part 1 The Red Sea Rises: A Brutal, Mythic Spectacle of Fear and Fate

Indian cinema has been leaning hard into “mass” entertainers lately. These films go big on slow-motion fights, huge hero moments, and stories where the lead feels larger than life. Devara: Part 1 enters that space with a wide-screen action drama that mixes rough coastal life with the feel of an old legend. Directed by Koratala Siva and led by Jr NTR, it’s a gritty, violent start to a new two-part story.

The Plot: A Legacy Written in Salt and Blood

The film drops us into the “Forgotten Islands,” a chain of remote seaside villages. Life here isn’t soft or simple. The men grow up around the sea, and they live by force when they have to. They aren’t just fishermen, either; many have turned to smuggling to keep their world running.

The center of it all is Devara (Jr NTR), a man known for strength and strict beliefs. Once he learns their smuggling helps enemies and hurts the nation, he can’t ignore it. He decides to end the illegal trade and pushes his people to return to a more honorable path. That choice splits the community, and it hits hardest with his close friend turned rival, Bhaira (Saif Ali Khan), who’s driven by pride and payback.

The story plays out as a family legend told across time. The early stretch builds Devara’s name and leads to his sudden absence. Then the focus shifts to his son, Vara (also Jr NTR). Vara doesn’t carry himself like a born fighter. He seems cautious and scared, even when he has the strength to stand tall. Much of the tension comes from Vara living under his father’s shadow, while Bhaira’s grudge keeps growing in the background.

The Cast: Big Names, Fresh Energy

Jr NTR carries the film. Playing both father and son could feel like a gimmick, but it works because he draws a clear line between them. As Devara, he’s calm, firm, and commanding. He leads with presence, and his stare alone sells the film’s idea of “righteous fear.” As Vara, he softens his posture and reactions. The character is capable, but he hesitates, and that contrast lands well.

Saif Ali Khan: A Chilled, Controlled Villain

In his Telugu debut, Saif Ali Khan plays Bhaira with restraint. He doesn’t rely on loud speeches or wild behavior. Instead, he brings a cold intensity that keeps the threat real. His scenes with Jr NTR build the conflict the story needs, and the rivalry feels personal.

Janhvi Kapoor: A Limited Part in Part 1

Janhvi Kapoor appears as Thangam, the village beauty and Vara’s love interest. She adds charm and stands out most in the songs, but her role doesn’t get much room in Part 1. She mostly supports Vara’s growth, so it’s easy to hope the sequel gives her more to do.

Direction and Technical Work

Koratala Siva’s Coastal World

Koratala Siva usually blends commercial beats with social themes. Here, he leaves the city behind and builds a harsher coastal setting with a myth-like tone. The island life feels textured and believable, from the look of the villages to the way the groups move as one. The middle portion slows at times, but the film keeps its tension and scale.

Anirudh Ravichander’s Music

Anirudh’s music drives the film’s energy. The songs and score hit hard, mixing deep bass with tribal-style vocals. The “Fear Song” stands out and matches the movie’s core message. His background score lifts the action too, making key moments feel heavier and louder.

Cinematography and Action

The camera work leans into ocean blues and shadowy tones, then punches in with the harsh reds tied to the “Red Sea,” an important place in the story. The action is rough and inventive, with standout set pieces like a shark sequence and a night raid on a ship. A few underwater CGI shots look uneven, but the size of the scenes often carries them through.

Themes: Fear as a Code

What sets Devara: Part 1 apart is how it treats fear. Most action films praise heroes who never feel it. Devara sees fear as necessary: fear of crossing a line, fear of harm, fear of the law, and fear of consequences. He wants his people to respect the boundary he sets, even if it means they obey out of fear. That idea gives the story more weight than a standard action-only ride.

The Verdict: A Big-Screen Masala Epic

Devara: Part 1 is made for theaters. It’s loud, violent, and proud of its scale. It still leans on familiar masala movie beats, including a long runtime and an interval turn you may see coming. Even so, the film holds together because it commits fully to its world, its characters, and its mood.

The ending lands as a clear cliffhanger, built to push you into the sequel and set up a larger clash ahead. If you like epic action dramas, heavy music, and Jr NTR in full form, this one is worth your time.

iBomma Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars

Quick Summary: A large sea-bound action epic with brutal set pieces, a legacy-driven story, and a strong theme around fear and duty. Jr NTR’s double role keeps it engaging, even when the film runs long.

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