Shahid Kapoor’s much-anticipated action thriller Deva hit the big screens on Friday, January 31. Despite the buzz surrounding the film, early estimates suggest a lukewarm opening, with the film collecting Rs 5 crore on its first day, according to tracking website Sacnilk.
Deva, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, is the official remake of the Malayalam film Mumbai Police. The film also stars Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, and Pravvesh Rana in pivotal roles. However, the film’s opening numbers failed to surpass Shahid’s previous release, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, which raked in Rs 6.7 crore on Day 1. His career’s biggest opener remains Kabir Singh, which made a massive Rs 20.21 crore on its first day.
Mixed Reviews and Audience Response
While Shahid Kapoor’s performance has been widely appreciated, critics have pointed out flaws in the film’s pacing and screenplay. India Today’s review of Deva noted, “One of Deva’s biggest flaws is its uneven pacing, which should have been corrected at the edit table. Also, why cut out the best parts of the original and keep everything else the same? Well, novelty is important, after all. Thankfully, Shahid Kapoor’s swag keeps the film afloat, making Deva a one-time watch.”
The film’s occupancy rate on its opening day remained on the lower side, suggesting that audience turnout wasn’t as strong as expected.
Shahid Kapoor’s Emotional Note
Ahead of the film’s release, Shahid Kapoor took to social media to share his emotional journey with Deva. He wrote, “One year of blood, sweat, and tears. 2024 was all Deva! Mera dil meri jaan. Mera kaam meri shiddat. Mera acting ke liye pyaar. Meri audience ke liye mohobbat. Mera saalon ka experience, mera andar ka creative bachha—sab hai is Deva mein…” (My heart, my soul. My work, my dedication. My love for acting. My affection for my audience. My years of experience, my inner creative child—everything is in this Deva.)
With the weekend ahead, all eyes are now on whether Deva can pick up momentum and improve its box office performance.
