Shahid Kapoor’s highly awaited action thriller ‘Deva’ appeared at a global for just Rs 59 crore, well short of expectations. Armed with superficial star power, the film was expected to pull at least Rs 125 crore for a safe release. Directed by Rosshan Andrews and produced by Zee Studios and Roy Kapur films, Deva purportedly stars Kapoor as a courageous cop waging a war against darkness and deception. Pooja Hegde, Pavail Gulati, and a few other noted actors shared the canvas with Shahid. Despite a cute premise and some power-packed performances from him, the film was unable to attract the crowds and sank without a trace at the box office.
Why This Action Thriller Did Not Perform Well
There have been a few broad reasons for Deva not performing well:
Word of mouth.
Competition from the other releases: Skyforce, Interstellar, Sanam Teri Kasam.
Weak promotional strategies
Predictability of the story, hence no retention.
The failure of the film also raises questions over the choice of scripts made by Shahid Kapoor and if Indian audiences have grown sick of standalone action thrillers.
Shahid Kapoor Next With Vishal Bhardwaj
Since Deva failed, all eyes are now on Shahid Kapoor’s next, to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and yet to be named. The film directed by Sajid Nadiadwala releases in December 2025.
A Crime-Romance Set in the 1990s
This new release is a love story against the urban underworld of Mumbai in the 1990s. Inspired by the life of gangster Hussain Ustara, the movie has it in store for audiences with a thrilling mix of crime, romance, and high-octane action.
