Deva (2025) Movie Review, Story, Cast & Ending Explained

Deva (2025) – Overview, Plot & Detailed Summary

Title: Deva (2025)

Genre: Action ‧ Mystery ‧ Thriller

Director: Rosshan Andrrews

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, Kubbra Sait, Pravessh Rana, Girish Kulkarni + ensemble

Synopsis:

Deva centers on Dev Ambre (Shahid Kapoor), a rebellious and unorthodox police officer determined to crack a high-profile murder case. Right after he claims he knows the killer’s identity, Dev suffers a severe accident that leaves him without memory. With only his instincts and muscle memory to guide him, he must retrace his steps, recover his lost memories, and uncover the truth buried in a complex web of deception, power struggles, and betrayal.

The story uses a non-linear narrative—opening in medias res with Dev confident of solving the case, only to plunge the audience into mystery after he loses his memory. As Dev reconstructs his journey through flashbacks and clues, the stakes rise and his understanding of friend and foe alike blurs.

 In-Depth Plot Breakdown (No Major Spoilers)

 Act I – The Setup

Dev, a brash but brilliant cop, declares he has solved a mysterious homicide involving influential figures.

Shortly after, he’s critically injured in an accident, wiping out key memories of both the case and himself.

This sets up the core mystery: Can Dev rediscover who he is while tracing the killer’s identity?

 Act II – Descent into Investigation

Dev’s amnesia forces him to rely on instinct and limited fragments of memory, turning the narrative into a puzzle.

His relationships with allies like journalist Diya (Pooja Hegde) and friend Rohan (Pavail Gulati) become ambiguous and intriguing, as their trustworthiness is constantly tested.

Flashbacks gradually reveal Dev’s personality, motivations, and past choices, raising questions about justice, loyalty, and the cost of truth.

Act III – Revelation and Climax

The final act delivers the resolution of the murder mystery and Dev’s personal arc.

Although the identity of the killer surprises many viewers, critics note that the payoff and narrative justification are uneven—a twist that intrigues some but leaves others unconvinced.

 Performance & Characters

 Shahid Kapoor as Dev

Shahid’s portrayal of the intense, morally conflicted cop is widely regarded as the strongest pillar of the movie. His ability to shift from aggression to vulnerability anchors the film even when the story falters.

 Pooja Hegde as Diya

Diya’s arc—from skeptical journalist to Dev’s ally and love interest—offers emotional depth, though many critics feel her character isn’t explored as fully as it could be.

 Supporting Cast

Pavail Gulati and Pravessh Rana lend solid supporting performances, while Kubbra Sait’s role, though powerful, is considered underutilized by several reviewers.

Critical & Audience Reception

Mixed Reviews Overall:

Rotten Tomatoes notes decent audience engagement but middling critic scores.

Many reviewers praise the lead performances and visual style, but point out slow pacing and weak screenplay as major hindrances.

Critics also highlight that while the premise (amnesia + murder mystery) is intriguing, the execution sometimes lacks taut suspense and narrative cohesion.

Box Office & Streaming:

After its theatrical release, Deva began streaming on OTT platforms like Netflix from March 2025. The film’s commercial performance was considered underwhelming compared to expectations.

 Technical Aspects & Production Highlights

Direction: Rosshan Andrrews brings strong visual sensibilities but occasionally uneven pacing.

Cinematography: Stylish, atmospheric visuals that enhance the gritty and mysterious tone.

Music & Score: A mix of background score and tracks like Bhasad Macha and Marji Cha Maalik set the mood, though some feel the soundtrack could have been more impactful.

 Final Verdict –

Deva (2025) is a stylish, performance-driven Bollywood action thriller that tackles memory loss and murder mystery with ambition. While Shahid Kapoor delivers a compelling and intense performance, and the film succeeds in moments of tension and visual flair, its slow pace and script weaknesses hold it back from being a classic. Fans of character-driven mysteries and gritty crime dramas will find plenty to enjoy—just don’t expect a flawless execution.