The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : A blend of action and sentiment

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Monday, Dec 17, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A blend of action and sentiment

Film: Deva

Cast: Surya, Asin

Direction: Hari

‘Deva’ (‘Vel’ in tamil) is a dubbed delight. Surya plays a dual role. One (Vasu) grows up in the city with his parents as an investigative officer, the other (Deva) is brought up by a well to do villager from Samarlakota.

While Saranya pines for her lost son, the twin brothers meet unexpectedly and swap roles. The other comes to the city to stay with his real mother and Vasu settles scores with Kalabhavan Mani using his brain instead of muscle power. He corners the villain and wins affection from Deva’s guardians.

Director Hari blends sentiment and action perfectly to bring out a racy entertainer. And despite a clichéd story, he succeeds in keeping the audience glued to the screen with a commendable screenplay and appealing dialogues. This is one film that rises above the nativity factor and provides the universal formula to dish out a successful entertainer. A fast-paced narration with some interesting incidents weaved in, which doesn’t allow you much time to ponder on the flaws, and which camouflages the inadequacies of the script, makes ‘Deva’ an engaging viewing. And the soul of the film is undoubtedly Surya, who performs his dual characters with panache. The actor has put in much effort and some real fire into the character, demarcating both roles with finesse and understanding.

Vadivelu demonstrates a real performer’s ingenuity for comic timing and the scene where he initiates trouble at a tea shop is quite funny.

Asin as Swati, who longs to become a successful television anchor, is sweet and charmingly seductive. She peps up the scenes in the earlier part with her vivaciousness, Saranya brings out pathos effectively and Charlie, who plays the role of Vasu’s friend, is convincing. Kalabhavan Mani shows why he is the best, never once overacts and mixes villainy and comedy with amazing ease.

Songs by Yuvan Shankar Raja fail to impress.

Y.SUNITA CHOWDHARY

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