Kannada cinema witnessed one of its most highly anticipated releases of the year as The Devil, starring Darshan, hit theatres on December 11. The political drama arrived amid huge buzz in Karnataka, intensified by developments surrounding the Renukaswamy case involving the actor. Fans showed unprecedented support, carrying the film on their shoulders despite Darshan’s absence from promotions. Early morning shows achieved massive sales, hinting at a blockbuster opening.However, The Devil unfortunately collapses under the weight of its own expectations.
The Devil: Plot Revolves Around Power, Deceit, and a Doppelganger Twist
At the heart of The Devil is a political upheaval sparked by the imprisonment of Karnataka’s chief minister, Rajashekar (Mahesh Manjrekar), on corruption allegations. Yet within the prison, he uncovers a startling truth — the plot was masterminded by his own nephews, hungry to acquire control
In a desperate attempt to block their move, Rajashekar instructs his loyal IAS officer Anant Nambiar (Achyuth Kumar) to bring his son Dhanush back from abroad and crown him as the next chief minister.
Dhanush: The Devil in the Spotlight
Darshan plays Dhanush, an entitled, volatile, and violent character who kills people without hesitation — even for trivial reasons. When Anant approaches him with the proposal, Dhanush refuses and threatens his life.
A Twist Arrives: The Doppelganger Krishna
A shaken Anant soon encounters Krishna (also played by Darshan), Dhanush’s look-alike. Gentle, soft-spoken, and loved by locals, Krishna dreams of becoming a star and runs a small eatery. Seeing a golden political opportunity, Anant convinces Krishna to impersonate Dhanush and lead the party’s campaign.
But complications spiral out of control when the real Dhanush unexpectedly returns to Karnataka.
The Devil: Love Triangle and Clashing Ambitions
Both Dhanush and Krishna become entangled with Rukmini (Rachana Rai), creating a tense rivalry. As the love triangle deepens, the story revolves around questions like:
- How far will Krishna go to protect Rukmini from Dhanush?
- Will he choose his love for the people over his personal love?
- Who will emerge victorious — Krishna or The Devil?
Unfortunately, the exhausting pursuit of these answers forms the bulk of the narrative, which ultimately feels messy and outdated.
The Devil Review: Outdated Storytelling and Weak Execution
Director Prakash Veer, known for Milana, Vamshi and Tarak, delivers one of his weakest films with The Devil. Even considering the real-life circumstances surrounding Darshan, the film fails to justify the poor experience it offers in theatres.
A Story Lacking Mass Appeal
The plot is riddled with convenient turns, old-school tropes, and loud execution. The film tries to incorporate mass elements but ends up feeling chaotic and tiresome rather than entertaining.
Darshan Shines as Krishna, Falters as The Devil
While the film is designed entirely around Darshan, this star vehicle does not deliver.
- As Krishna, Darshan brings warmth and charm reminiscent of his 2010s era, pleasing long-time fans.
- As Dhanush — The Devil — he becomes unbearable, portrayed like a one-dimensional ‘80s villain who should have stayed in the past.
The Devil: Music and Technical Aspects Fail to Impress
One of the biggest disappointments in The Devil is the music.
- Songs appear randomly without relevance to the narrative.
- The background score is loud and jarring, making the silence at interval surprisingly comforting.
Technical Setbacks Lower the Film’s Impact
Editing: Poorly stitched scenes disrupt the flow.
Set Design: Even outdoor sequences look artificial, worsened by weak CGI.
Props: The IG character’s gun appears like a child’s toy.
Action: Except for one decently choreographed sequence, the rest is cringe-inducing.
The Devil: Wasted Ensemble Cast and Underwhelming Performances
Although the cast is strong on paper, the film does little with it.
- Rachana Rai looks appealing on screen but is reduced to a predictable damsel in distress.
- Achyuth Kumar initially drives the narrative but is pushed aside as the climax nears.
- Mahesh Manjrekar and others get negligible screen space.
- Gilli Nata offers forced, ineffective comedy that adds no value.
Final Assessment on The Devil: An Intriguing Beginning That Crumbles
In spite of overwhelming anticipation and fan enthusiasm, The Devil falls short of providing even the essentials of an engaging commercial film. For devoted Darshan admirers, some tribute scenes might provide emotional fulfillment. However, for typical viewers, the almost three-hour experience seems exhausting.
The Devil, regrettably, turns into a movie that guarantees excitement but produces disappointments — a political drama that had every chance to excel but ultimately falls short.