Devil: The British Secret Agent is a 2023 Indian Telugu-language action drama film[1] written by Srikanth Vissa and directed by Abhishek Nama and Naveen Medaram.[3] Produced by Abhishek Nama and Devansh Nama under Abhishek Pictures,[4] it stars Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, Samyuktha Menon, Vasishta N. Simha, Edward Sonnenblick and Elnaaz Norouzi.[5][6]
| Devil: The British Secret Agent | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Abhishek Nama |
| Written by | Srikanth Vissa |
| Produced by | Abhishek Nama Devansh Nama |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Soundararajan |
| Edited by | Tammiraju |
| Music by | Harshavardhan Rameshwar |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 144 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Box office | ₹22.59 crore[2] |
Devil: The British Secret Agent was theatrically released in India on 29 December 2023 and received mixed reviews from critics.
Plot
editSet in 1945, during pre-independent India, Agent Devil follows the story of an officer working for the Indian Political Intelligence (IPI) who is sent undercover to investigate a murder in Rasapadu, a village under the Madras Presidency. The case revolves around the death of Vijaya, the daughter of a wealthy landlord. Vijaya's father is initially arrested as the primary suspect, with the motive being his shame over Vijaya's love affair with Bhuma, a domestic worker in their household. However, Agent Devil quickly begins to suspect that the landlord is innocent and that Vijaya's death is part of a larger conspiracy.
As the investigation progresses, Bhuma goes missing, and Rani, a cook in the household, is found dead. Bhuma is later discovered alive but is soon killed along with his father, Ramana, by an unknown assailant. Parallel to the investigation, Agent Devil develops feelings for Nyshadha, the landlord's niece, who is a London-educated barrister. Although initially hostile toward him, Nyshadha eventually reciprocates his feelings after he secures the landlord's acquittal in Vijaya's murder case.
Nyshadha, however, harbours secrets of her own. She and her companion, Samudra, are members of the Indian National Army (INA), led by Subhash Chandra Bose. Nyshadha reveals to Devil that a crucial code linking to the INA has been stolen, and they suspect it is related to Vijaya's murder. Devil learns that Bose is planning to return to India, with his landing location known only to Trivarna, Bose's close confidant whose identity is a mystery. Meanwhile, Clement, a British officer, is assassinated by Trivarna, who is revealed to be Manimekala, an Indian National Congress leader, as revenge for killing an INA agent.
Agent Devil's true mission in Rasapadu is gradually revealed: he was sent by the British to investigate Nyshadha after she decoded and transmitted a message about Bose's landing. The codes were leaked by Agent Trojan to General Kenneth Bracken, who then tasked Devil with tracking down Nyshadha. When the first part of the code, revealing the time and location of Bose's landing, is cracked, Bracken orders Nyshadha's execution, but Devil saves her. Devil convinces Bracken that Nyshadha needs to stay alive to deliver the final "All Clear" message to Trivarna, which is essential for Bose's safe landing.
Nyshadha is arrested but is later rescued by Devil, making her a fugitive. With a bounty on her head, she entrusts Devil with the task of contacting Trivarna. Devil sends a letter with the decoded message, which reaches Manimekala. Meanwhile, Shafi, a close ally of Trivarna, warns the INA that the code has been compromised, and they plan to change Bose's landing location.
Bracken eventually discovers that Manimekala is Trivarna. Devil brings her to Bracken, but in a surprising turn of events, he kills the soldiers tasked with executing her and reveals that he is the real Trivarna. Devil had joined the IPI on Bose's orders, not to investigate Nyshadha, but to identify Agent Trojan, the traitor who leaked the codes. Devil orchestrated Clement's assassination through Manimekala and had been protecting the INA's interests all along.
Devil finally uncovers that Samudra is Agent Trojan, an IPI agent who infiltrated the INA. Samudra had stolen the codes from Nyshadha's room and killed Vijaya when she caught him in the act. He later murdered Rani, who witnessed him covered in blood, and eventually killed Bhuma and Ramana. Samudra reveals Devil's identity to Bracken and takes Nyshadha to the location where Bose is expected to land, planning to betray the INA for a reward from the British. However, Nyshadha, informed by Devil's secret message, diverts Samudra and refuses to cooperate.
In the final showdown, Devil, as Trivarna, arrives at the location, single-handedly taking down Bracken's troops and killing both Bracken and Samudra. Before his death, Bracken learns that Devil, as a British secret agent, will continue to spy on the IPI and other agencies. Bose successfully lands in Mahabalipuram, a new "All Clear" location, and Trivarna, whose true identity remains a secret, resumes his work for the INA, hinting at the possibility of a sequel.
Cast
edit- Nandamuri Kalyan Ram as Trivarna alias Agent Devil; a double agent spying on IPI; head of INA covert operations
- Samyuktha Menon as INA Agent Nyshadha, Trivarna's love interest and INA's morse code operator
- Malvika Nair as INA agent Manimekala, and the leader of INA spies in South India, Right-hand woman to Trivarna
- Mark Bennington as Bracken, the chief of IPI unit in South India
- Vasishta N. Simha as INA agent Samudra alias Agent Trojan, a double agent spying on INA for IPI
- Edward Sonnenblick as Bell, Bracken's trusted aid and close confidant.
- Satya as Sastry, Trivarana's assistant and close confidant.
- Shafi as INA agent Shafi, who disguises himself as a press photographer, coordinates with members and INA; close confidant to Trivarna, Nyshadha, and Samudra
- Uttej as INA Agent Venkata Chalam, who was tortured and killed by Bracken and Bell
- Ajay as Patwari, neighbour and business partner to Zamindar
- Elnaaz Norouzi as Rosy, wife of Patwari
- Srikanth Iyengar as Police Officer Venakata Swamy, a corrupt and negligent cop who initially investigates Vijaya's murder case.
- Ammu Abhirami as Vijaya, Zamindar's daughter
- Ester Noronha as Rani, a cook in the bungalow.
- Amit Sharma as Bhuma, Vijaya's love interest and a servant in the Zamindar's Bungalow
- Ananda Chakrapani as Ramana, Bhuma's father, a loyal servant to Zamindar
- Seetha as Vijaya's mother
- Nithin Mehta as Zamindar, Vijaya's father
- Chatrapathi Sekhar as Rani's husband, a lock smith
- Hari Teja as servant to Zamindar
Production
editThe film was announced in July 2021.[7] Naveen Medaram, of Babu Baga Busy (2017) fame, was the initial director of the film and even shot for 105 days in Karaikudi, Visakhapatnam, and Hyderabad.[8] However, owing to creative differences he was replaced with Abhishek Nama.[8] The filming was wrapped up in April 2023.[9]
Soundtrack
edit| Devil: The British Secret Agent | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 19 September 2023 | |||
| Genre | Film soundtrack | |||
| Language | Telugu | |||
| Label | ICON Music | |||
| Harshavardhan Rameshwar chronology | ||||
| ||||
The soundtrack album and film score of the film was composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar. The music rights of the film were acquired by ICON Music. The first track from the album, "Maaye Chesi", released on 19 September 2023, followed by the second track, "This is Lady Rosy", on 27 November 2023, and followed by the third track, "Doorame Theeramai", on 18 December 2023.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Maaye Chesi" | Satya RV | Sid Sriram | 4:07 |
| 2. | "This is Lady Rosy" | Sri Harsha Emani | Raja Kumari | 4:08 |
| 3. | "Doorame Theeramai" | Sandeep Bharadwaj | Sameera Bharadwaj | 4:23 |
Release
editTheatrical
editDevil: The British Secret Agent was expected to be released theatrically on 24 November 2023,[10] but postponed to 29 December 2023.[11]
Home media
editThe film premiered on Amazon Prime Video on 14 January 2024.
Reception
editRaghu Bandi of Indian Express gave 1.5/5 stars and wrote "Kalyan Ram is sincere in a film lacking originality or depth. Devil is strictly for fans of the actor."[12] Abhilasha Cherukuri of Cinema Express gave the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Nandamuri Kalyanram's latest outing is a genre-friendly yet overdrawn tale of Independence-era heroism."[13] Suresh Rachamalla of News18 gave 3/5 stars and praised its story, cast performances and production values, but criticized its first half and songs.[14] Suhas Sistu of The Hans India gave 3/5 stars and wrote ""Devil" is a watchable period action drama featuring an interesting storyline and commendable twists. The lack of a gripping first half prevents the movie from reaching its full potential. However, if viewers can overlook some minor flaws, the film offers an engaging experience, making it worth a try."[15] Neeshitha Nyayapati of Hindustan Times wrote "Devil turns out to be yet another Telugu film that tries way too hard to seem cool while pulling off a tale of espionage. Irrespective of who directed the film, the off-screen drama seems way more interesting than the on-screen one."[16]
References
edit- ^ a b "Devil". British Board of Film Classification.
An agent working for British Intelligence in pre-Independence India is asked to solve a murder case in this intense Telugu language action drama, which contains scenes of torture and bloody violence.
- ^ https://twitter.com/AbhishekPicture/status/1742101383237472364?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- ^ "Devil Explores A Novel Idea". 23 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Censor Clears Nandamuri Kalyan Ram's Spy Thriller Devil with U/A Rating". 22 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Devil teaser: Nandamuri Kalyan Ram is a formidable British secret agent in his next film". 6 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Devil Trailer: డెవిల్ ట్రైలర్ వచ్చేసింది.. సీక్రెట్ ఏజెంట్గా అదరగొట్టిన కల్యాణ్ రామ్: చూసేయండి". Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Kalyan Ram is British secret agent in director Naveen Medaram's pan-Indian period film 'Devil'". The Hindu. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Devil director Naveen Medaram addresses his name getting dropped from credits: 'I am deeply disheartened'". 27 December 2023. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Nandamuri Kalyan Ram's Devil wraps up its shoot". 11 April 2023. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Telugu action 'Devil- the British Secret Agent' to release on Nov 24". DT Next. 6 August 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Nandamuri Kalyan Ram-starrer Devil: The British Secret Agent to Release on This Date". 8 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
- ^ "Devil movie review: Kalyan Ram film lacks punch". 29 December 2023. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Devil Movie Review: Intelligence meets independence in this high concept, low stakes entertainer". Cinema Express. 29 December 2023. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "డెవిల్ మూవీ ఎలా ఉంది.. కళ్యాణ్ రామ్కు మరో హిట్ పడినట్లేనా.. రివ్యూ". 29 December 2023. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "'Devil' review: Kalyan Ram entertains in spy-thriller". 29 December 2023. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "Devil review: Kalyanram, Samyuktha's period actioner tries way too hard to be interesting". 29 December 2023. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
