Devkhel Movie 2026 Bapamtv Review Details
Devkhel (2026) Review – A Village Curse, A Cunning Cop, and a Crackling Thriller!
Let me tell you something, friends. After decades of watching stories unfold on screen, few things get my pulse racing like a well-set Marathi thriller that smells of wet earth, festival smoke, and hidden secrets. When I hit play on ZEE5’s Devkhel, that’s exactly the pungent, promising aroma that hit me.
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The series plunges us into the coastal village of Devtali, where for 15 years, a death on Holi Pournima is quietly accepted as the divine wrath of a demon called Shankasur. Enter Inspector Vishwas Saranjame, a local boy turned cop, who decides to poke this beehive of blind faith, unravelling a chilling pattern masked as mythology.
| Role | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inspector Vishwas Saranjame | Ankush Chaudhari | Lead Role |
| Sarika Nimkar | Prajakta Mali | Key Supporting Role |
| Lakshmi | Veena Jamkar | |
| SP Rangane | Mangesh Desai | |
| Vishwanath Nimkar | Yatin Karyekar | |
| Balkrushna Saranjame | Arun Nalawade | |
| Director | Chandrakant Gaikwad | |
| Writers | Nikhil Ashok Palande, Chandrakant Lata Gaikwad | |
| Cinematographer | Vinayak Jadhav | Also Producer |
| Editor | Sudarshan Satpute |
The Entertainment Factor: A Rollercoaster with a Few Flat Tires
The first few episodes are a masterclass in building atmosphere. The concept of a ‘divine’ serial killer is brilliantly unsettling. You’re hooked, trying to separate folklore from foul play. The tension is palpable. However, around the midway point, the ride hits some familiar bumps. The narrative leans on some seen-before tropes of rural politics and domestic strife, which slightly dilutes the unique mythological terror it so carefully establishes. It’s a engaging binge, but you might feel the length in the second half.
Star Performance: Ankush Chaudhari’s Unruly Swagger
This is where Devkhel truly finds its heartbeat. Ankush Chaudhari as Inspector Vishwas is a revelation. He isn’t your polished, textbook hero. He’s rough, impulsive, emotionally tangled, and brilliantly real. His screen presence is magnetic—a welcome dose of unpredictability that lifts every scene he’s in. The supporting cast, including veterans like Yatin Karyekar, is competent, but the spotlight, deservedly, never wavers from Chaudhari’s compelling performance.
Direction & Vision: Ambitious, But Could Have Been Sharper
Director Chandrakant Gaikwad deserves credit for crafting a visually authentic and culturally dense world. The vision to weaponize faith as a murder weapon is potent and socially relevant. The setting of Ratnagiri is not just a backdrop but a character. Insight: Where the vision slightly stumbles is in narrative discipline. The shift from a tight psychological thriller to a broader social drama with familiar villains feels like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the fascinating core myth.
Dialogues & Action Blocks: More Mind Games Than Fist Fights
Don’t expect high-octane stunts here. The real action is in the interrogation rooms and village square confrontations. The dialogues in Marathi carry the weight of local ethos and simmering tension. The clap-worthy moments belong to Vishwas as he logically dismantles superstitious beliefs, facing off against an entire village’s mindset. The ‘action’ is cerebral, which is perfectly suited to the plot.
| Mass Element | Rating (Out of 5) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 2.5 | Psychological & investigative tension over physical fights. |
| Songs | 3 | Atmospheric folk chants and BGM over standalone tracks. |
| Comedy | 1.5 | Very minimal, strictly situational. A serious thriller. |
| Romance | 2 | Hints of past relationships, not a central focus. |
Music & BGM: The Silent Star of the Show
While there are no chart-topping song sequences, the background score and sound design are characters in themselves. The haunting folk chants, the distant drums during the Holi rituals, the eerie silence of the village at night—it all builds a soundscape of dread. The BGM doesn’t just accompany the scenes; it amplifies the lurking fear of the unknown, making the myth of Shankasur feel terrifyingly real.
Cinematography & Technical Craft: Authentic and Atmospheric
Cinematographer Vinayak Jadhav paints Devtali in stark, beautiful, and sometimes ominous strokes. The contrast between the vibrant Holi colors and the dark secrets they hide is visually striking. The use of natural light and shadow in the village lanes and old houses adds layers of authenticity. The editing keeps the pace generally taut, though it could have been tighter in later episodes. Technically, it’s a polished production that feels rooted and real.
Emotional High Points: The Human Cost of Belief
The series shines in moments that reveal the human tragedy beneath the supernatural facade. The grief of a family that has lost someone to the ‘curse’, the conflict within Vishwas as he investigates his own community, and the terrifying power of collective belief—these moments provide the heart and soul. They make you ponder: which is more dangerous, a demon, or the men hiding behind its legend?
| Audience Type | Will They Enjoy It? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Selectively | Mature themes and some violence. Best for older family members. |
| Youth | Yes | Great for those who love crime thrillers, mysteries, and unique regional stories. |
| Mass (Genre Fans) | Yes | Perfect for audiences craving a suspenseful, binge-able Marathi thriller with a great lead performance. |
Box Office Prediction: A Solid OTT Winner
As a ZEE5 original, its success isn’t measured in crores but in watch-time and buzz. Given the strong lead performance, the intriguing hook, and the growing appetite for quality Marathi content on OTT, Devkhel is poised to be a solid performer. It will find a dedicated audience and likely spur discussions, making it a successful addition to ZEE5’s Marathi library. It may not be a universal blockbuster, but for its target audience, it delivers.
| Category | Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Story & Concept | 4.0 |
| Acting | 4.5 |
| Direction | 3.5 |
| Background Music | 4.0 |
| Visuals & Cinematography | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.0 / 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Devkhel based on a true story?
A> No, it is a fictional crime thriller. However, it smartly uses real-world elements like rural superstitions and folk myths to create a very believable and relatable setting.
Q: How scary is Devkhel? Is it a horror series?
A> It’s more of a psychological crime thriller than a horror. The fear comes from suspense, the power of belief, and human malice, not from jump scares or ghosts. It’s tense and atmospheric, not outright frightening.
Q: Can I watch this with my family?
A> It deals with mature themes like murder, domestic violence, and crime. While not excessively graphic, the subject matter is best suited for older teenagers and adults. Use your discretion.
Ratings are purely my take after multiple watches — your experience might differ!
