Devara Part 1, starring Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor, is set to release globally tomorrow. Despite being a highly anticipated project mounted on a grand scale, the low pre-release buzz and sluggish advance bookings are causing concern for the producers. This large-scale venture, with a budget of ₹350 crore, had been expected to ride on the massive success of NTR Jr’s previous blockbuster, RRR, but early indicators suggest a tough road ahead, particularly in the North Indian market.

Sources reveal that the runtime of Devara has been reduced to make it more appealing to the audience. Originally clocking in at nearly three hours, the film has been cut by seven minutes in a last-minute decision by the producers, who are anxious about the film’s reception, especially in the Hindi-speaking regions. While this adjustment is intended to offer a tighter, more engaging experience, there is uncertainty about whether this minor alteration will be enough to attract more viewers in the North.

One insider close to the project voiced disappointment over the lackluster response from North Indian audiences, calling it “an insult” to NTR Jr, who won global acclaim for his role in SS Rajamouli’s RRR. The source said, “We never anticipated such a poor response in the North. It’s as if the Hindi audience isn’t recognizing NTR’s star power. While Rajamouli’s films shine globally, the true star in those films is Rajamouli himself, and not necessarily the actors.”

Despite these setbacks, the cast of Devara boasts hefty paychecks. Jr NTR has reportedly walked away with ₹65 crore, Saif Ali Khan has earned between ₹45-50 crore, and Janhvi Kapoor is being paid ₹15 crore, a significant sum higher than her typical Bollywood projects. However, should the Hindi version fail to meet expectations, the financial losses could be severe.

As the producers try to salvage the situation by trimming the runtime, there are questions about whether this small adjustment will make a significant difference in attracting Hindi audiences, especially given the current lack of excitement around the film. With just a day left for the release, Devara faces mounting pressure to prove itself at the box office, particularly with an ambitious opening day target of ₹100 crore.