Mumbai Police, Roshan Andrrews’ 2013 thriller, culminated in an audacious twist that foreshadowed Malayalam cinema’s penchant for unconventional storytelling. The film’s narrative intertwined character with conscience, and its conclusion offered multiple interpretations. The revelation that Antony (Prithviraj), a police officer grappling with his hidden sexuality, kills a colleague to protect a secret highlighted the societal pressures he faced.
Mumbai Police Was Depth Over Highlights
Unlike thrillers relying solely on shock value, Mumbai Police‘s twist felt inevitable, rewarding close observation. It portrayed Antony as a tragic figure, his aggression a facade masking his desperate attempt to conform to societal expectations of masculinity. The film’s denouement was a consequence, not just a conclusion, showcasing both technical skill and narrative depth over superficial thrills.
Any adaptation should preserve the original climax’s untouchable revelation. While setting, narrative, and characters can be altered, the core revelation must remain unchanged. The film’s meticulous construction, similar to Christopher Nolan’s Memento, prioritizes honoring its powerful and enduring message about homophobia.
Deva Is A Predictable Battle
Deva, the Hindi remake starring Shahid Kapoor, features a climax that falls short. Instead of the original’s seminal twist, it offers a simplistic and unconvincing revelation. This alteration diminishes the original’s impact, reducing the climax to a predictable conflict between good and evil. Dev (Shahid Kapoor) is revealed as a corrupt officer, killing his colleague not out of fear but to cover his incompetence.
Comparing the two films reveals insights into the cinematic traditions of their respective industries and how audience reception varies across contexts.
What’s Ailing Bollywood?
Deva embodies contemporary Bollywood’s shortcomings: its risk aversion, complacency, and tendency to shy away from challenging narratives. Bollywood readily remakes films but hesitates to unsettle audiences, sacrificing complexity for mass appeal. The result is films that prioritize audience appeasement over provocation.
Dev’s violence is self-indulgent, unlike Antony’s act of self-preservation. Antony’s crime stemmed from fear, a desperate attempt to escape a world that rejects him. Dev’s brutality is driven by ambition, his violence a tool for dominance. This contrast highlights Malayalam cinema’s willingness to tackle complex themes and embrace stories with substance, exemplified by Prithviraj’s portrayal of a gay police officer.
A Reflection Of Choices
Andrrews’ deviation in Deva might be intentional, a deliberate attempt to defy expectations. Viewed this way, Deva is not merely an inferior remake but a distinct departure, offering insights into how storytelling evolves and how a filmmaker reconciles with their past.
The films’ openings differ significantly. Mumbai Police begins with a Sudoku puzzle, establishing its mystery genre. Deva opens with gritty, realistic imagery of Mumbai, reminiscent of films like Satya and Deewaar. The references to Amitabh Bachchan and the song “Main Hoon Don” foreshadow the film’s focus on a dual identity.
A Meta Moment For Shahid
Deva delves into existential themes, offering a critique of unchecked brutality often associated with alpha-male police officers. Kapoor’s character’s struggle to reconcile with his past aggression hints at a meta-commentary on his past roles, particularly Kabir Singh.
The film’s Bachchan-inspired elements, though a tribute to the star’s influence, reveal a pattern in Bollywood where heroism overshadows psychological nuance. Introspection is sacrificed for spectacle, and complexity gives way to flamboyant hero worship.
Bachchan As Bait
While Deva pays homage to Bachchan, it fails to fully capture the essence of his rebellious spirit. Unlike Bachchan’s righteous rage, Dev’s is self-serving. Deva, like much of contemporary Bollywood, prioritizes comfort over courage.
(Anas Arif is a film writer and a media graduate from AJKMCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
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