Dev explores the age-old communal riots between the Muslims and the Hindus. Fardeen Khan plays a rebellious unemployed youth who is outraged by the death of his father in a violent peace demonstration. A corrupt politician takes advantage of the situation and sets Fardeen against the Hindus, telling him that an upright police commissioner played by Amitabh Bachchan was the cause of the death of his father. Therefore, Fardeen takes on the path of violence, trampling on the values of his father who taught him the lesson of non violence and peace. Dev tests a topic that has been tried numerous times in Bollywood. We know that parity exists between the Hindus and Muslims as shown earlier in Bombay but Dev lacks the novelty to carry off the topic well. I mean what new is shown in the movie that will engross viewers to be able to keep glued to their seats till the last frame?
The script of the film is so contrived. Much of the film's time is employed in developing the tensions between the two religions and the resulting violence. Amitabh Bachchan as usual is brilliant. His chemistry with Om Puri is mesmerizing as it is the first time that these two veterans have shared screen space. Fardeen Khan is and always will be a bad actor. Only can hardly see the spark of anger in his eyes and his anglicised voice only makes the situation worse. An actor like Bobby Deol or Hrithik Roshan would've made a much greater impact in the role of an angry young man. The only actor who puts her best effort in an otherwise boring movie is Kareena Kapoor. I always wondered whether this girl can ever be big in this industry. After Chameli, Kareena proves once again that she has what it takes to be a commanding personality in Bollywood. Her emotional scenes in Dev truly stand out, especially the scene where she openly points out a corrupt cop responsible for the death of her family in the riot. Om Puri is in his terrific form once again. Rati Agnihotri fulfills what she has to do in her short role. Amrish Puri had nothing to do.
Overall, Dev is a one time watch! I give it 3.5/10.
