Thumbs up, by Amit Bhatia, abplive : ...This film is a complete entertainer, packed with thrilling action, suspense, and a mind-blowing performance by Shahid Kapoor. If you’re a fan of gripping thrillers and high-energy performances, this one is not to be missed!... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...The cop-criminal chases are wildly engaging. I am baffled by the film’s supercilious reviews. The same critics ravaged about the most mediocre movies in the past weeks. The disdain for Deva proves we are not quite ready for stories that go beyond the surface.... full review

Thumbs up, by Smrity Sharma, Bollywood Life : ...Deva is a pure treat for Shahid Kapoor fans aka Shanatics. After the rom com Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya in 2024, the actor is back in an intense avatar and brings his A-game to this cop drama. While the film has its flaws, Shahid delivers a flawless performance and once again proves what an effortlessly versatile actor he is.... full review

Thumbs up, by Taher Ahmed, Deccan Herald : ...A remake of the Malayalam movie ‘Mumbai Police’, ‘Deva’ does not try to oversell itself in a world where Bollywood movies aim to go over-the-top when it comes to recreating south Indian movies.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...All in all, watch Deva to see Shahid Kapoor’s take on playing an angry cop. We’re sure Rohit Shetty would be pleased with the result…... full review

Thumbs up, by Prathamesh Jadhav, Free Press Journal : ...As for the performances, Shahid is intense and engaging. Watch him alternate between being restless and restrained with ease. Pavail Gulati adds the much-needed thehrav and emotional depth to the story with Pooja Hegde gets limited and abrupt exposure. All in all, Deva may test your patience if you like you action films breezy, but ultimately it is a rewarding watch given the way things unspool in the second-half only to compensate for the slow-burn of the first!... full review

Thumbs up, by Manmath Sahu, fullhyd.com : ...Deva is a must-watch for those who appreciate layered storytelling and powerhouse performances. Yes, the pacing stumbles briefly, and certain characters could have been better developed, but these are minor blemishes on an otherwise compelling narrative. Action, mystery and psychological depth - Deva delivers on all fronts. This memory-loss movie is one of the most engaging Bollywood thrillers in recent memory.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shawn Dass, india.com : ...Deva is a must-watch for Shahid Kapoor fans, as he delivers one of his best performances. His strong screen presence and the film’s gritty visuals make it exciting. However, the movie focuses too much on him giving other actors little to do lacking emotional depth. While the action and story keep you engaged, the lack of balance and emotional connection holds it back. Still, it’s worth watching for Shahid’s standout role.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shreshtha Chaudhury, koimoi : ...The technical aspects of the Rosshan Andrrews directorial are top-notch. The cinematography and the production design add a fine catalyst to the plot. The background score by Jakes Bejoy, which plays the rap song ‘Marji Chaa Maalik’ keeps the adrenaline levels high, especially during the action sequences.... full review

Thumbs up, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Mercifully, such gaps aren't the rule in Deva. The plot amendments that provide the film with a new run-up to the climax and the final denouement serve the purpose of keeping the audience guessing. So, even if you remember the Malayalam film and know how it winds up, Deva has something in store for you. It is a Shahid Kapoor show all the way but Deva certainly isn't only for fans of the star.... full review

Thumbs up, by YATAMANYU NARAIN, News18.com : ...Ultimately, Deva finds its voice in its second half, evolving from a standard action thriller into a gripping, character-driven mystery. It may not be without its flaws, but its unpredictability, strong performances, and polished execution make it a compelling watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Pratik Shekhar, News18.com : ...डायरेक्शन की बात करें तो रोशन एंड्रयूज का डायरेक्शन भी कमाल का है. उन्होंने जिस तरह से कहानी को अपने डायरेक्शन में पिरोया है, वो काबिले तारीफ है. फिल्म में गाने कम हैं, लेकिन जेक्स बेजॉय का म्यूजिक भी आपको निराश नहीं करेगा. अब बात करते हैं फिल्म की कुछ कमियों की. फिल्म पहले हाफ तक अपनी सामान्य गति से तेज चलती है, लेकिन दूसरे हाफ में यह धीरे-धीरे बहुत धीमी हो जाती है, जो आपको थोड़ा बोरियत जरूर महसूस कराएगी. अगर कहानी धीमी से तेज होती है, तो बाद में अपनी गति की भरपाई कर लेती है, लेकिन ‘देवा’ के साथ इसका उल्टा हुआ है. इसलिए मेकर्स को फिल्म की गति पर थोड़ा ध्यान देना चाहिए था. हालांकि फिल्म के धीमी होने की वजह फिल्म में देव का किरदार भी हो सकता है, जो आपको फिल्म देखने के बाद ही पता चलेगा.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sushmita Dey, Times Now : ...While the film celebrates its heroic cop, it doesn’t shy away from critiquing the very institution Dev represents. Despite the flaws, Deva is a slow-paced and engaging investigative thriller. It's entertaining and the biggest strength of the film is Shahid Kapoor!... full review

Thumbs up, by Dhaval Roy, Times of India : ...The overall pace remains slow, yet it manages to keep you engaged and entertained. The film has inconsistencies, however, its intensity, raw appeal, and slick execution make it worth a watch.... full review

So-So, by Iqbal Pervez, Glamsham.com : ...The film’s director Roshan Andrews has tried to make an intelligent film which perhaps has become a little too intelligent. Pooja Hegde has nothing special to do in the film. Overall, the film Deva is an average masala entertainer, which is saved by Shahid Kapoor’s performance. Shahid Kapoor fans can watch this film.... full review

So-So, by Zinia Bandyopadhyay, india today : ...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.... full review

So-So, by Sakshi Verma, India TV : ...Shahid Kapoor's Deva clearly disappoints despite having potential. However, the film ends on a note that opens the gates for a second part, and knowing the filmmaker in Rosshan, one can expect something positive. However, as for the first part, the film is an average one-time watch with a few highs. With much said and done, Shahid Kapoor's latest release deserves 2.5 stars and is out now in theatres.... full review

So-So, by Lekha Menon, Khaleej Times : ...Let’s just say this is yet another case of the actor being better than the movie. And once again, a case of a movie that is pretty good but could have been much better.... full review

So-So, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...Toward the end, the film becomes scattered, almost as if it's in a rush to make the final reveal. Supporting characters come and go, without adding much to the plot, and Deva doesn't exploit its complete potential. Despite these flaws, however, Kapoor, Rana, and Gulati ensure that you stay hooked to the story, and the twists make the film worth your time. 3/5 stars.... full review

So-So, by Rishil Jogani, Pinkvilla : ...If you're a fan of intricate, character-driven dramas that take their time to unfold, Deva will be rewarding, especially for its last 30 minutes. For others, the film might not meet the high expectations set by its promotional material, but it's still worth watching for the performances and the beautifully woven extended climax at the end.... full review

So-So, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...However, while tweaking the original story, the makers resort to procrastination, stretching the middle and emasculating the climax. The shock value doesn’t add up in the adaptation, leaving a shining Shahid in the lurch.... full review

Thumbs down, by Abhishek Ranjit, Filmi Beat : ...Deva was said to be 'deadly, daunting and destructive' but it turned out to be a fuski bomb.... full review

Thumbs down, by Vinamra Mathur, FirstPost : ...There could be two reasons why the makers decided to change the finale. They wanted to be firm that this was not a remake of the Malayalam thriller. Or maybe the leading man wasn’t comfortable in essaying a queer. Maybe the makers wanted to give a more stylized and bronzed look to Dev-A. Style hai babu Bhaiyaa makers ka style. No points for guessing which film comes to mind.... full review

Thumbs down, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...Deva review: While Shahid Kapoor shines as Dev, the film's second half falters with convoluted twists, leaving potential arcs incomplete. Deva review: Underwhelming. That’s the one word review of Deva. And here’s why.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...There are at least a couple of instances when Shahid Kapoor does come alive, reminding us of the actor that he can be. Both are scenes in which he allows his character to be vulnerable, and you wish there were more of these, rather than the loose threads and the long slack-blah stretches which make you feel every minute of its nearly two-and-a-half hour length.... full review

Thumbs down, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...I speed-watched Mumbai Police. I feel Deva has kinda bettered that climax, in the sense of how dated the point of the original was. The film, in that sense, suffers from a problem that’s opposite of several scripts.... full review

Thumbs down, by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies : ...The biggest fault in Deva is its technical aspects. The action scenes are poorly designed, and the sound design for the same is terrible. You just can't feel the intensity of those action scenes. Deva is beating the goons brutally, but that brutality is hardly visible to the eyes and ears.... full review

Thumbs down, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Alas, like many Hindi remakes of acclaimed South movies, a bold, clever, layered thriller takes the shape of a safe playing vanity project. Quite needless when you already know the extent of Shahid Kapoor's talent. PlayMute Fullscreen The only person who needs reminding, in a movie, ironically, about remembering, is him.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...The dilemma that dogs Deva after his memory loss, which could have been the crux of the movie, is cursorily handled. Despite superb visuals and a blazing Shahid Kapoor, Deva is as cold to the touch as its treatment of weighty themes such as guilt, culpability and redemption is clinical.... full review

Thumbs down, by Kartik Bhardwaj, the new Indian Express : ...There is a feeble attempt in Deva to humanise its angry protagonist, to give a cause to this rebel. There are frequent mentions of how Dev put his own father behind jail, how his father once came back home drunk and broke his leg. Daddy issues as the reason behind flawed personalities has become passe.... full review