At this very moment there is a painting, in a gallery in Los Angeles, by artist Nibha Akireddy . In a show curated by Rajiv Menon, the piece depicts Akireddy seated and wearing sunglasses, her swagger pouring out of the canvas and enticing the viewer instantly. In my tour of the gallery, Menon explained that Akireddy was inspired by Telugu movies to picture herself as the alpha and the hero — in a position of power that women of those films rarely get to occupy.
I saw this painting a little over a week before screening Koratala Siva’s “Devara: Part 1,” which underscores the frustrating fantasy in Akireddy’s painting. The plot is but a formality; the film ‘s real purpose is to highlight star N.T.
Rama Rao Jr. in any possible capacity, along with fellow male costars Saif Ali Khan, Prakash Raj, Srikanth, and dozens if not hundreds of background actors and dancers. It is a movie where a woman does not speak until 30 minutes in, and it does not happen again until as much time has passed.
Hindi movie actress Janhvi Kapoor (who should still be on a “Bawaal” apology tour, but okay) is needlessly wedged into the second, not because she fits the role (she doesn’t) or elevates the love story (there is none), but in an appeal to North Indian audiences that is so transparent as to be crude. Despite being named for Rama Rao Jr.’s Devara, the film opens with a character named Danny (Ajay), who goes to see police superintendent Tulasi (Abhimanyu Singh) in search of a man .