Devara: Part 1 Explained
Devara: Part 1 is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Koratala Siva. It is produced by Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts. The film stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr. in the titular role, alongside Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor (in her Telugu debut), Prakash Raj and Srikanth.
The film was officially announced in April 2021 as a standalone film under the tentative title NTR30, as it is Rama Rao's 30th film as a lead actor, and the official title was announced in May 2023. However, in mid 2024, the film was revealed to have been split into two parts. Principal photography commenced in April 2023, held in Hyderabad and Goa. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by R. Rathnavelu and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.
Devara: Part 1 is scheduled for a theatrical release on 27 September 2024.[3] [4]
Production
Development
In April 2021, it was reported that Rama Rao and Siva would collaborate for NTR30, marking their second collaboration after Janatha Garage (2016).[5] The film was announcement on Ugadi (13 April 2021) with Yuvasudha Arts producing the film in collaboration with N. T. R. Arts.[6] However, Siva's commitments on Acharya and Rama Rao's on RRR had delayed the start of production.[7]
Siva described it as a "large-scale project that has more commercial appeal" in comparison to his debut film Mirchi (2013).[8] Following the box-office failure of Acharya, Siva wanted to fine-tune the script making necessary changes before finalizing it as a draft, which meant that the commencement of filming has been delayed throughout late 2022.[9] [10] By November, Siva started the pre-production works of the film with production set to begin in early 2023.[11]
Initially set to begin production on 24 February 2023, the commencement was delayed due to the demise of Taraka Ratna as well as Rama Rao's participation in the Academy Awards campaign for RRR.[12] The film was officially launched on 23 March 2023 with a puja ceremony held in Hyderabad with the presence of the cast and crew and S. S. Rajamouli preceding with the muhurat shot.[13] The film's title Devara was officially announced on 19 May 2023.[14] On 4 October, Siva announced that the film would be split into two parts.[15]
Casting
The technical crew consist of musician Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographer R. Rathnavelu, editor A. Sreekar Prasad, production designer Sabu Cyril, stunt choreographer Kenny Bates and visual effects supervisors Brad Minnich and Yugandhar T.[16]
Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur and Rashmika Mandanna were considered to play the female lead, but turned down the offer.[17] [18] Janhvi Kapoor was confirmed to play lead actress, in her South Indian film debut.[19] At the India Today Conclave, Janhvi described it as a "dream come true" moment on working with Rama Rao as she recalled on how she manifested her debut in South industry through Rama Rao's film in her past interviews.[20] In February 2023, Chiyaan Vikram, Vijay Sethupathi and Saif Ali Khan were reported to play the antagonists.[21] Since the former two denied their roles, Khan was finalized as a part of the cast.[22]
Prakash Raj and Meera Jasmine participated at the launch ceremony, thereby being part of the film.[23] In May 2023, further supporting cast members joined the film with Mani Chandana and Tarak Ponnappa being part of the sets.[24] [25] In June 2023, it was announced that Shine Tom Chacko was cast in the film. Kalaiyarasan Harikrishnan, Narain Kumar, Murali Sharma and Abhimanyu Singh also joined the cast after filming few prelimnary sequences.[26] [27] In February 2024, reports surfaced stating that Shruti Marathe, a Marathi actress, had been chosen to star alongside Jr NTR.[28] Shruti confirmed this during an interview with the Marathi Star Media portal.
Filming
Principal photography commenced on 1 April 2023 in Hyderabad, with Rama Rao in attendance,[29] while Janhvi and Khan joined the sets in mid April.[30] [22] In mid-May, the team took a two-week break following Rama Rao's departure for a family vacation.[31] Filming resumed on 7 June 2023 with few crucial sequences between Rama Rao, Khan and other cast members being shot there and was completed 14 days.[32] [33] Several action sequences had been shot in this schedule, including one which has been filmed in extreme low light.[34] The team then took a brief month-long break, before resuming on 31 July 2023, to shoot an underwater action sequence.[35] Rama Rao trained with expert swimmers from Mumbai for this particular schedule.[36] In September, some of the sequences have been shot at a specially constructed beach set in Shamshabad.[37]
On 4 October 2023, the makers filmed the underwater action sequence at Hyderabad which would conclude the schedule post-completion.[38] The team then moved to Goa, for filming the concurrent schedule on Dusshera (24 October 2023).[39] Janhvi completed filming for her portions on 1 November.[40] The team then took a break to celebrate Diwali (12 November 2023) and resumed filming two days later for another brief schedule.[41] The Goa schedule was completed within 20 November and the team returned to Hyderabad for another brief schedule which was filmed during mid-December.[42] Kalyan Ram revealed that 80% of the film's shooting had been completed by late-December 2023, and the filming would be wrapped by January 2024.
Music
The film's soundtrack album and background score are composed by Anirudh Ravichander in his fourth Telugu project after Agnyaathavaasi (2018), Jersey (2019), and Nani's Gang Leader (2019). This also marks the second time Siva has worked with another music director besides his frequent collaborator, Devi Sri Prasad. Anirudh started the work on the film's music in November 2022.[43]
The first single, titled "Fear Song" was released on 19 May 2024.[44] The second single titled "Chuttamalle" was released on 5 August 2024.[45] [46]
Release
Theatrical
Devara: Part 1 is scheduled for a theatrical release on 27 September 2024 in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada languages.[3] The film was earlier scheduled to release on 5 April 2024 but was eventually postponed to 10 October 2024, and later moving forward to 27 September 2024.[3]
Distribution
Dharma Productions and AA Films acquired Hindi dubbed version's distribution rights. Telugu theatrical rights were bagged by Sithara Entertainments. Red Giant Movies acquired the theatrical rights for Tamil release. Kannada distribution rights were reportedly acquired by KVN Productions and SS Karthikeya's Showing Business. Prithviraj Productions would distribute the film in Malayalam. Hamsini Entertainments bagged the distribution rights for overseas.
Home media
The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by Netflix.[47]
Notes and References
- News: 7 May 2024 . Business Talk: Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor’s Devara Part 1 rights get sold for 45 crores in Hindi . 7 July 2024 . Pinkvilla.
- Web site: Massive budget of Jr NTR's Devara: Part 1 is Rs… . Mumtaz Hussain . Bhat . 1 January 2024 . The Siasat Daily. 8 January 2024. 8 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240108155759/https://www.siasat.com/massive-budget-of-jr-ntrs-devara-part-1-is-rs-2946812/. live.
- Web site: Sistu . Suhas . 2024-02-16 . Jr NTR's 'Devara: Part 1'new release date announced, locks for Dussehra 2024 . 2024-02-16 . www.thehansindia.com . en.
- News: Devara Release Date: అఫీషియల్: దేవర రిలీజ్ డేట్ మారింది.. ముందుగానే వస్తున్న ఎన్టీఆర్ సినిమా . 13 August 2024 . Hindustan Times Telugu.
- Web site: 12 April 2021 . Jr NTR joins hands with Koratala Siva for NTR 30: 'We will cross boundaries this time' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205171920/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/jr-ntr-joins-hands-with-koratala-siva-for-ntr-30-7270561/ . 5 February 2023 . 5 February 2023 . The Indian Express . en.
- News: 13 April 2021 . #NTR30: Jr NTR and Koratala Siva to team up again for a new project, release date announced . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173707/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/ntr30-jr-ntr-and-koratala-siva-to-team-up-again-for-a-new-project-release-date-announced/articleshow/82046906.cms . live.
- Web site: JR NTR and Koratala Siva come together for a new pan-India project. Details here . 27 December 2023 . India Today . 13 April 2021 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173659/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/jr-ntr-and-koratala-siva-come-together-for-new-pan-india-project-details-here-1790309-2021-04-13 . live.
- News: 26 April 2022 . Koratala Siva promises that 'NTR30' will be infused with 'mass' elements . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173705/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/koratala-siva-promises-that-ntr30-will-be-infused-with-mass-elements/articleshow/91097027.cms . live.
- Web site: Jr NTR and Koratala Siva's NTR30 delayed due to Acharya's failure? . 27 December 2023 . India Today . 2 May 2022 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/jr-ntr-and-koratala-siva-s-ntr30-delayed-due-to-acharya-s-failure-1944323-2022-05-02 . live.
- News: 11 July 2022 . Were Jr.NTR's fans disappointed by the prolonged delays? Here is the truth . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173710/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/were-jr-ntrs-fans-disappointed-by-the-prolonged-delays-here-is-the-truth/articleshow/92803015.cms . live.
- News: 6 November 2022 . JrNTR's next #NTR30 with Koratala Siva is in full swing with its pre-production work; makers share the pictures . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173659/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/jrntrs-next-ntr30-with-loratalasiva-is-in-full-swing-with-its-pre-production-work-makers-share-the-pictures/articleshow/95337609.cms?slideshow=94777302&slide=94778332#3 . live.
- Web site: FC . Team . 2 February 2023 . Shoot for NTR Jr's NTR 30, to go on floors in February . 27 December 2023 . Film Companion . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/quick-reads/shoot-for-ntr-jrs-ntr-30-to-go-on-floors-in-february . live.
- Web site: ANI . 23 March 2023 . Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor begin shooting for 'NTR 30', SS Rajamouli attends launch ceremony . 27 December 2023 . ThePrint . en-US . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://theprint.in/feature/jr-ntr-janhvi-kapoor-begin-shooting-for-ntr-30-ss-rajamouli-attends-launch-ceremony/1466195/ . live.
- Web site: Shackleton . Liz . 19 May 2023 . 'RRR' Star NTR Jr's 30th Film Title Confirmed As 'Devara'; First Look Revealed . 19 May 2023 . Deadline . en-US . 19 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519213622/https://deadline.com/2023/05/rrr-star-ntr-jr-n-t-rama-rao-jr-devara-first-look-1235373127/ . live.
- News: Bureau . The Hindu . 4 October 2023 . Jr NTR's 'Devara' set to release in two parts . en-IN . The Hindu . 27 December 2023 . 0971-751X . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/jr-ntrs-devara-set-to-release-in-two-parts/article67380019.ece . live.
- Web site: Action Choreographer Kenny Bates joins NTR 30 . 27 December 2023 . . 26 March 2023 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173659/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2023/mar/26/action-choreographer-kenny-bates-joins-ntr-30-41526.html . live.
- Web site: Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor turned down Jr NTR's NTR 30. All controversies around cast . 27 December 2023 . India Today . 20 May 2022 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/alia-bhatt-shraddha-kapoor-turned-down-jr-ntr-s-ntr-30-all-controversies-around-cast-1951813-2022-05-20 . live.
- News: 16 September 2022 . NTR 30 Heroine: ఎన్టీఆర్-కొరటాల సినిమాలో హీరోయిన్ ఎవరు.. ఆ ఇద్దరిలో ఛాన్స్ ఎవరికి! . Zeest News . 27 December 2023. te.
- News: PTI . 6 March 2023 . 'NTR 30': Janhvi Kapoor joins Jr NTR-Koratala Siva film . en-IN . The Hindu . 23 March 2023 . 0971-751X . 23 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230323031837/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ntr-30-janhvi-kapoor-joins-jr-ntr-koratala-siva-film/article66586596.ece . live.
- Web site: Conclave 2023: Janhvi Kapoor opens up about her dream South debut with Jr NTR in NTR 30, says 'I manifested it' . 27 December 2023 . India Today . 18 March 2023 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173700/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/india-today-conclave-2023-ntr-30-janhvi-kapoor-koratala-siva-2348474-2023-03-18 . live.
- Web site: 9 February 2023 . NTR30: Vijay Sethupathi, Chiyaan Vikram & Saif Ali Khan Battling It Out To Be A Villain Opposite Jr NTR In Koratala Siva's Next? . 27 December 2023 . Koimoi . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.koimoi.com/south-indian-cinema/ntr30-vijay-sethupathi-chiyaan-vikram-saif-ali-khan-battling-it-out-to-be-a-villain-opposite-jr-ntr-in-koratala-sivas-next/ . live.
- Web site: The makers of NTR 30 welcome Saif Ali Khan on board alongside Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor . 23 April 2023 . filmfare.com . en . 23 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423171143/https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/the-makers-of-ntr-30-welcome-saif-ali-khan-on-board-alongside-jr-ntr-and-janhvi-kapoor-57988.html . live.
- Web site: NTR 30 officially launched . 27 December 2023 . . 23 March 2023 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2023/mar/23/ntr-30-officially-launched-41427.html . live.
- News: 9 May 2023 . Excited to work with Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor in #NTR30: Mani Chandana . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173709/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/excited-to-work-with-jr-ntr-and-janhvi-kapoor-in-ntr30-mani-chandana/articleshow/100077058.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst . live.
- Web site: Tarak Ponnappa: People should recognise the actor in me, and not just my appearance . 27 December 2023 . . 27 May 2023 . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/interviews/2023/may/27/tarak-ponnappa-people-should-recognise-the-actor-in-me-and-not-just-my-appearance-43924.html . live.
- Web site: Sistu . Suhas . 8 June 2023 . "Devara" sets filled with actors from multiple industries . 27 December 2023 . The Hans India . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/devara-sets-filled-with-actors-from-multiple-industries-801556 . live.
- Web site: 8 June 2023 . Multiple stars on NTR30 sets . 27 December 2023 . 123telugu.com . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173700/https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/multiple-stars-on-ntr30-sets.html . live.
- News: 2024-02-10 . Popular Marathi actress Shruti Marathe to star opposite Jr NTR in Devara: Report . 2024-06-07 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
- Web site: Watch: Jr NTR walks into the sets of NTR 30 in style, starts shooting for Koratala Siva's directorial . 1 April 2023 . DNA India . en . 1 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401164529/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-watch-jr-ntr-walks-into-the-sets-of-ntr30-in-style-starts-shooting-for-koratala-siva-s-directorial-3033738 . dead.
- News: 17 April 2023 . Janhvi Kapoor arrives in Hyderabad to shoot for Jr NTR co-starrer #NTR30 . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173703/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/janhvi-kapoor-arrives-in-hyderabad-to-shoot-for-jr-ntr-co-starrer-ntr30/articleshow/99549008.cms . live.
- News: 5 June 2023 . Watch: Jr NTR and family return to Hyderabad after vacation, twinning in white! . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173707/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/watch-jr-ntr-and-family-return-to-hyderabad-after-vacation-twinning-in-white/articleshow/100756505.cms . live.
- News: 7 June 2023 . Devara: Jr NTR and Saif Ali Khan to kickstart new schedule with intense scenes . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173706/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/devara-jr-ntr-and-saif-ali-khan-to-kickstart-new-schedule-with-intense-scenes/articleshow/100815087.cms . live.
- Web site: 23 June 2023 . Jr NTR Wraps Up Devara's 14-Days Action-Packed Shooting Schedule In Hyderabad; Deets Inside . 28 June 2023 . News18 . en . 27 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627175622/https://www.news18.com/movies/jr-ntr-wraps-up-devaras-14-days-action-packed-shooting-schedule-in-hyderabad-deets-inside-8156185.html . live.
- Web site: 26 June 2023 . NTR Jr shoots Devara action sequence in extremely low-light . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231031164202/https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/ntr-jr-shoots-devara-action-sequence-in-extremely-low-light . 31 October 2023 . 23 October 2023 . . en.
- News: 1 August 2023 . Jr NTR dives into a spectacular water sequence for Koratala Siva's 'Devara' . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173702/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/jr-ntr-dives-into-a-spectacular-water-sequence-for-koratala-sivas-devara/articleshow/102308206.cms . live.
- News: 29 August 2023 . Devara: Jr NTR undertakes training for an underwater action sequence in Koratala Siva's directorial film . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173705/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/devara-jr-ntr-undertakes-training-for-an-underwater-action-sequence-in-koratala-sivas-directorial-film/articleshow/103182278.cms?from=mdr . live.
- News: 27 September 2023 . 'Devara': Art director Sabu Cyril constructs a realistic beach in Hyderabad for the Jr. NTR and Saif Ali Khan starrer . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173704/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/devara-art-director-sabu-cyril-constructs-a-realistic-beach-in-hyderabad-for-the-jr-ntr-and-saif-ali-khan-starrer/articleshow/103990251.cms . live.
- Web site: 4 October 2023 . Devara Buzz: Jr NTR's intense underwater sequence; DEETS inside . 27 December 2023 . PINKVILLA . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173701/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/devara-buzz-jr-ntrs-intense-underwater-sequence-deets-inside-1248286 . live.
- Web site: 25 October 2023 . Devara: New schedule begins in Goa . 27 December 2023 . 123telugu.com . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173700/https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/devara-new-schedule-begins-in-goa.html . live.
- News: 30 October 2023 . Janhvi Kapoor celebrates schedule wrap of Devara with an ice-cream . The Times of India . 27 December 2023 . 0971-8257 . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/janhvi-kapoor-celebrates-schedule-wrap-of-devara-with-an-ice-cream/articleshow/104826655.cms . live.
- Web site: FC . Team . 14 November 2023 . Jr NTR starrer Devara Resumes Shooting Post Diwali . 27 December 2023 . Film Companion . en . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227173658/https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/jr-ntr-starrer-devara-resumes-shooting-post-diwali . live.
- Web site: 26 December 2023 . Kalyan Ram drops a key update on Jr NTR's Devara . 27 December 2023 . 123telugu.com . en . 26 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231226133223/https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/kalyan-ram-drops-a-key-update-on-jr-ntrs-devara.html . live.
- Web site: 20 November 2022 . NTR30: Anirudh Ravichander teams up with Jr NTR; Begins music discussion with Koratala Siva . 5 February 2023 . PINKVILLA . en . 5 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205171920/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/anirudh-ravichander-koratala-sivas-deep-talk-on-music-for-jr-ntr-starrer-ntr30-dont-miss-trophies-in-pic-1199780 . live.
- Web site: 19 May 2024 . Fear Song from 'Devara: Part 1' out: Jr NTR looks formidable in this Anirudh track . 19 May 2024 . India Today.
- Web site: 5 August 2024 . Devara song Chuttamalle: Anirudh Ravichander’s romantic melody explores NTR Jr, Janhvi Kapoor’s dance skills, sizzling chemistry . The Indian Express.
- News: Devara Second Single: దేవర నుంచి సెకండ్ సింగిల్ రిలీజ్.. చుట్టమల్లే అంటూ ఎన్టీఆర్, శ్రీదేవిని గుర్తు చేసిన తారక్, జాన్వీ . 13 August 2024 . Hindustan Times Telugu.
- Web site: Netflix Signs NTR And Balayya . 15 January 2024 . M9 . en . 15 January 2024 . 22 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240122225304/https://www.m9.news/movienews/netflix-signs-ntr-and-balayya/ . live.