FILM REVIEWS SACHIN CHATTE
Film: Deva
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Pravesh Rana, Pooja Hegde
Directed by: Rosshan Andrrews
Duration: 2 hours 36 minutes
Rating: * *
Deva represents yet another addition to the cop genre within Bollywood, notable for being the debut of Malayalam director Rosshan Andrrews in Hindi cinema. This film serves as a remake of his own work, Mumbai Police (2013), albeit with some modifications.
Certain aspects of the film evoke comparisons to Singham (2011), although Deva exhibits a greater emphasis on style rather than substance. While the Rohit Shetty narrative may not have been rich in depth, it did offer a degree of entertainment through its portrayal of the classic good versus evil conflict. Both the character of Deva and the film itself strive excessively to project a sense of coolness, and the end result is a bit muddling. The first half predominantly features the familiar trope of a brash cop confronting corrupt politicians, while the second half serves as the film’s focal point.
The narrative includes three friends within the police force, reminiscent of Amar, Akbar, Anthony as fa as their religion is concerned. Deva Ambre (Shahid Kapoor) is a one-man force who doesn’t care how justice is delivered, as long as it is delivered. His brother-in-law, Farhan Khan (Pravesh Rana), a senior officer, has recently wed Deva’s sister, who makes a brief appearance during a wedding song. Additionally, there is Rohan D’Silva (Pavail Gulati), a young officer who looks up to Deva as his role model.
Following an accident that results in memory loss (specifically, Diffuse brain matter abnormalities), Deva must re-solve a case which he had previously cracked, just before the incident. This leads to numerous red herrings, some of which are designed to mislead the audience. It becomes somewhat absurd when scenes are included solely to divert attention; for example, Deva rushes into an under-construction building while pursuing an assassin, only for the audience to later discover that this moment was merely a ploy to create confusion.
In a film titled Deva, centered around a police officer, there is limited opportunity for female characters to play significant roles. Pooja Hegde portrays the protagonist’s love interest, but her involvement is minimal. Kubbra Sait takes on the role of a junior police officer, primarily tasked with following directives from her superior.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its setting; it presents a depiction of Mumbai that authentically captures the city’s essence. The portrayal of public spaces and chawls evokes a sense of familiarity reminiscent of other films
shot in the city
Shahid Kapoor effectively embodies elements of his previous characters, Haider and Kabir Singh, infusing his role with energy. However, at two and a half hours, Deva is way too long to work as a saga about a cop who is battling it out.
Complex Relationships
Film: Companion
Cast: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Megan Suri
Directed by: Drew Hancock
Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes
Rating: * * * 1/2
A number of recent films have explored the themes of androids and robots, often highlighting the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, predominantly in a negative light. In the film Companion, while the protagonist is a robot designed for companionship, the narrative shifts its focus to human nature, presenting a somewhat refreshing perspective.
Although the film could have easily leaned into a pure thriller format, writer and director Drew Hancock opts for a more comedic tone, not to mention some very convenient twists and turns. Nevertheless, it remains an engaging piece of entertainment that prompts reflection. It is unclear whether certain aspects of the writing were the result of oversight or intentional choices, but tighter scenes and more consistently intelligent character portrayals would have enhanced the
film considerably.
The story begins when Josh (Jack Quaid) meets Iris (Sophie Thatcher) in a supermarket, where he awkwardly drops some oranges. Iris’ voice over tells us that she had two memorable days in her life – one, when she met him and second, the day when she killed him. From that sentence onwards, the film has your undivided attention.
Their romance quickly blossoms, leading them to a lakeside house where friends are gathered. Iris feels anxious about Kat (Megan Suri), who seems to harbor some dislike for her, while Kat’s affluent boyfriend Sergey, the owner of the house, appears to be interested in Iris. Among the group is a gay couple, Eli and Patrick. Iris’s discomfort is palpable, especially given the remote location of the house. Instead of a gun, the film introduces Chekov’s knife, which is swiftly employed to initiate the first of the many deaths that follow. But that is not the biggest surprise in the film. Turns out Iris is an “emotional support robot” who gives more than just emotional support – she also fulfils all carnal desires.
A company named Empathix creates these robots and they are companions engineered to serve as ideal partners. These companions are customisable, loyal, adaptable equipped with a sufficient amount of artificial memories to simulate authenticity. They are trouble proof but just in case, they can be shut down with a voice command and factory reset with a touch.
The narrative examines human nature alongside the experiences of the robot, particularly through the character of Josh, whose self-centeredness highlights a tendency to overlook the value of relationships. This portrayal serves as a commentary on the often taken-for-granted nature of interpersonal connections. Additionally, the story revisits themes highlighted in some other movies, such as the rights of a robot to possess emotions and the appropriate manner in which it should be treated if it indeed has such feelings.
