Saif Ali Khan on being part of 'Devara': I love Hyderabad cinema & its the future; for Bombay actors..."

The team of 'Devara' are all gearing up for their mega release on 27th September and haven't left a stone unturned to promote their film. Recently, the cast members, including Saif Ali Khan, Jr. Ntr, and Janhvi Kapoor, along with director Koratala Siva, engaged in a conversation moderated by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. They talked about the film, their characters, how things will take turn in Part 2, their expectations attached with it and much more.

Talking about the world, Jr. NTR said, "When you participate in any ritual, you understand it involves bowing to something. So, the question is, who are you praying to? In essence, it's about prayer. In this case, it feels like a tribal connection where people emotionally align with everything they're experiencing. The core drives—be it greed, power, or the desire to be the strongest—are universal. They manifest in all cultures. Take, for instance, a movie like Apocalypto, which, despite its alien setup, felt deeply human and relatable, as if you were looking at people next door. The connection is always rooted in shared experiences."

He added, "The costumes in our film were basic, almost like tribal pirates, which helped create its own universe. That's always great—creating a world that's visually appealing but still emotionally engaging. The film has one of the strongest scores ever because it tackles basic human emotions like fear, power, and revenge. I think audiences today appreciate being transported into a completely different world. When the theater lights go out, you find yourself immersed, and you don’t want to leave."

He further continuded, "Think of it like Gotham in Batman. It’s basically downtown Chicago, but in the film, it feels like another realm entirely. There’s a lot of world-building in Indian cinema today, too. If you look at films like Baahubali or K.G.F., or even Animal, the characters seem to be from around us, yet within a few minutes, you’re fully immersed in their world, in their family, in their struggles. Fifteen minutes into 'Devara', you’ll be stuck in the world we’ve created. You're not going anywhere—you'll be in that universe completely."

Sandeep further questioned Janhvi that, How was the experience with the language, especially with lip-syncing and delivering dialogues?

Lauding her Jr. NTR said, "Oh, she was phenomenal! I was shocked by how well she adapted. Even though she has South Indian roots, speaking Telugu can still be challenging. But she handled it like a pro. In one scene, she went all out, and I remember the director, Shiva, just looking at me from the monitor, impressed. She was fabulous!"

Saif shared his experience and said, "Siva told me not to worry about the language aspect and just to be myself. When I was first approached for the film, it was a great honor. I love Hyderabad cinema, and I believe it’s the future of Indian cinema. Actors from Bombay, like myself, would be lucky to be a part of such projects. I was initially concerned about the language barrier, but Siva gave me the most passionate narration. Normally, if a narration isn’t compelling, my attention starts to wander. But with this, I was completely engrossed."

Adding Jr. NTR revealed, "We were shooting a film in Amritsar, and when Siva mentioned getting you on board, I was all for it. For the character of Bheem, we needed someone as powerful as Devara. Bheem needed to be larger than life. Both of us immediately thought of you because of the intensity you bring especially in 'Omkara', I loved that. While you often showcase your humorous side, there’s a depth to you that hasn’t been fully captured in films."

Addressing to Siva, Saif said, "Thank you! You said just to show up, and there’d be a big AC set, water effects, and that I’d have a blast! And you were right. On the first day, I had to deliver lines to a co-star, and I could feel the sweat running down my back. Even though it’s the same country, working in another language felt like a whole new experience. I was nervous about getting it right."

Sandeep Reddy Vanga when quipped, "Do you remember any of the lines?

Saif said, "I knew you’d ask me that! I’ve forgotten them now, but I remember the thrill of learning and delivering them. Initially, it was just one or two lines. But after a few days, I got more comfortable, and the dialogues got longer. I’d get pages of dialogue, and I’d think, “Wait, didn’t you promise just a few lines?” But I managed. The director paid close attention to the lip-sync, and it worked. It wasn’t just me, though. My co-stars helped a lot by being patient and supporting me. It made the whole experience much smoother. In the end, it all came together, and the effort paid off."

'Devara Part 1' is all set to hit the big screens on 27th September and fans cannot wait to watch this spectacle on the big screens.