By ‘Deva’ Box Office Day 4: Shahid Kapoor’s Cop Drama (Action) Surpasses ‘Sky Force’ Despite Monday Slump
Shahid Kapoor’s Deva marks his first major release of 2025 and also serves as the Bollywood debut for acclaimed Malayalam director Rosshan Andrews. The high-energy action thriller, which hit theaters on January 31, stars Shahid Kapoor alongside Pooja Hegde. Following a promising opening, the movie saw a significant rise in business over its debut weekend. However, it experienced a notable dip on its first Monday. Despite the decline, Deva managed to surpass Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force by a considerable margin.
According to a report from Sacnilk, Deva had an opening-day net collection of ₹5.5 crore in India. Over the weekend, the film saw positive growth, with collections reaching ₹6.4 crore on Saturday and ₹7.25 crore on Sunday. However, early estimates suggest that on Monday, the film’s earnings fell to ₹2.50 crore, bringing the total collection after four days of theatrical release to ₹21.65 crore. Despite the drop, Deva performed significantly better than Sky Force, which collected ₹1.35 crore on the same day—nearly half of Deva‘s earnings.
The story of Deva revolves around ACP Dev Ambre, played by Shahid Kapoor, a police officer suffering from memory loss while trying to unravel the murder of his closest friend. Pooja Hegde stars as Diya Sathaye, a journalist who plays a crucial role in Dev’s journey. The film also features key performances from Pavail Gulati and Kubbra Sait. Director Rosshan Andrews has made notable changes to the film’s climax compared to the original Malayalam version, adding a unique touch to the Bollywood adaptation.
Deva has garnered positive reviews from critics. The Times of India rated the movie 3.5 out of 5 stars, stating, “Director Rosshan Andrrews sets the stage for a gripping whodunnit right from the opening scene… Over the course of 156 minutes, the screenplay team—Bobby–Sanjay, Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, Arshad Syed, and Sumit Arora—takes you through the various layers and shades of Dev, and the unraveling of the mystery.” The film’s engaging narrative, well-executed action sequences, and strong performances have been particularly appreciated.
As the film continues its theatrical run, industry experts are keeping a close eye on its box office performance. With Shahid Kapoor leading an intense and gripping narrative and Rosshan Andrews bringing his directorial expertise to Bollywood, Deva stands out as a promising mix of South Indian filmmaking techniques and Bollywood storytelling. The fusion of these cinematic styles has been well received by audiences, further adding to the film’s appeal.
In addition to its intriguing storyline, Deva’s action sequences have also received praise. Shahid Kapoor, known for his versatility, has delivered a powerful performance, portraying an amnesiac cop with conviction. His ability to perform high-intensity action scenes without compromising emotional depth has resonated well with audiences. Pooja Hegde, on the other hand, balances the film’s thrill factor with a well-crafted romantic subplot, making the narrative even more engaging.
Another standout element of Deva is its music and background score, which effectively enhance the film’s suspense and action-driven sequences. The soundtrack has been carefully designed to complement the movie’s gripping atmosphere, adding an extra layer of intensity to the overall experience.
As the weeks progress, Deva’s long-term success at the box office will depend on how well it holds up against upcoming releases and audience preferences. Shahid Kapoor’s career choices in recent years have consistently reflected his ability to take on challenging and diverse roles. From Kabir Singh to Jersey, he has demonstrated a strong inclination for selecting roles that push his acting capabilities. Deva is another testament to his commitment to versatile storytelling, reinforcing his presence as a leading actor in the action-thriller genre.
With a talented cast, an engaging storyline, and an exciting directorial debut for Rosshan Andrews in Bollywood, Deva has positioned itself as one of the most notable Bollywood films of 2025. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how the film performs in the coming weeks, as it continues to captivate audiences with its action-packed sequences and compelling mystery.
