Dev (2019) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 24 Apr 2026
Dev (2019) Review
Dev (2019) — a Tamil action, adventure, romance film directed by Rajath Ravishankar. Starring Karthi, Rakul Preet Singh, Prakash Raj. A youngster who has to fight against all the odds in order to achieve his desires. Our Rating: 2/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 14 Feb 2019. Runtime: 2h 35m.


Dev(2019)
Tamil · Action, Adventure, Romance
2h 35m · 14 Feb 2019
Music: Harris Jayaraj | DOP: R. Velraj | Writer: Charu Gupta, Rajath Ravishankar
Ratings
Our Rating
2
📖 Story
Dev is an action thriller centered around Dev, a tough and righteous cop who is on a mission to dismantle a powerful criminal network. The story unfolds as Dev navigates through personal and professional challenges, balancing his duty with emotional turmoil. The narrative explores themes of justice, loyalty, and sacrifice, with twists that keep the audience engaged until the climax.
Dev offers a conventional yet engaging storyline that caters well to fans of action thrillers. The screenplay maintains a steady pace, with the first half effectively setting up the characters and conflict, while the second half escalates the tension with high-octane action sequences and emotional moments.
The film's pacing is generally consistent, though some scenes tend to drag, slightly affecting the momentum. The songs composed by Harris Jayaraj blend well with the narrative, providing relief without hampering the flow. The background score is impactful, enhancing the intensity of action scenes and emotional beats.
Cinematography by R. Velraj captures the gritty tone of the film effectively, complementing the director Rajath Ravishankar's vision. Overall, Dev is a solid entertainer with a mix of action, drama, and music that appeals to its target audience.
Karthi: Strong and intense portrayal of a determined cop, carrying the film with his screen presence.
Rakul Preet Singh: Offers a decent performance with limited scope, providing emotional support to the protagonist.
Prakash Raj: Delivers a commanding performance as the antagonist, adding depth to the conflict.
Ramya Krishnan: Effective in a pivotal role, bringing gravitas to the narrative.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Engaging action sequences
- ✓Strong lead performance by Karthi
- ✓Effective background score
- ✓Good cinematography
Weaknesses
- ✕Predictable storyline
- ✕Some pacing issues in the second half
- ✕Underutilization of supporting cast
🎬 Direction & Writing
Rajath Ravishankar delivers a competent directorial effort with a clear focus on action and drama. The writing is straightforward, relying on genre conventions, which makes the film accessible but somewhat predictable.
📰 Critic Reviews
Anand and Vaishnavi fit in their roles. The music is good at times. But performances and music could not rescue Epic which comes with such a thin plot, confused characterization and almost no satisfying emotional payoff.
The first half of Devara Part One is engaging and delivers exactly what audiences expect from a theatrical experience, with its fast-paced action sequences, strong songs, and excellent character development of Devara. However, the second half slows down due to the passive portrayal of Vara, making the pacing sluggish.…
On the whole, Drishyam: The Conclusion is a befitting finale to one of the best franchises in Indian cinema. Where the Malayalam Drishyam 3 makers fumbled, Bollywood delivered big time. When a good story is dragged needlessly, it loses its magic, and the Hindi Drishyam 3 makers understood this assignment clearly. An in…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 2.75 | |
| 3.5 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics
Critics generally appreciated Karthi's performance and the technical aspects like music and cinematography, but noted the film's lack of novelty in the storyline and some pacing flaws.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dev release in theatres?▾
Dev released on 14 February 2019 (2019).
Is Dev a hit or flop?▾
Dev is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Where to watch Dev online? OTT release date?▾
Dev is available on Sun Nxt from 14 February 2019.
Who directed Dev?▾
Dev directed by Rajath Ravishankar. Produced by S. Lakshman Kumar.
Who are the main cast members of Dev?▾
Dev stars Karthi, Rakul Preet Singh, Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, Nikki Galrani.
What is the Tollybo rating for Dev?▾
Tollybo rates Dev 2/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Who composed the music for Dev?▾
Music for Dev composed by Harris Jayaraj.
What is the genre and runtime of Dev?▾
Dev — Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance, Runtime: 155 minutes, Language: Tamil.
