Dancing sensation Prabhu Deva returns to Tamil after many years in this Vijay directorial Devi. Looks like the season of horror-comedy in Tamil cinema is yet to see its curtains coming down and we have one more film on this much-utilized genre. However, Devi stands out from the rest of the crop in delivering an engaging and an entertaining flick that eschews the usual horror-humor template

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For all those who watched the trailer of the film would have got a fair idea about the story. Prabhu Deva marries a meek, docile, cattle herder Tamannaah and brings her to his Mumbai residence. Someone who he looks at as his disgrace, someone who he wants no association with, takes on a contrasting form and the fall out of this predicament is what Vijay hands over to the viewers in Devi co-written by Paul Aaron from Hollywood.

For one, you need to give it to the Saivam director for the simple reason that among the many wannabe horror-comedies that have been religiously dished out week after week, his Devi appears fresh and engaging throughout.  There is a reason, a purpose for the ‘spirit’ed activities and they don’t seem frivolous; they are genuine. Light moments are prevalent right through in apt proportions. 

Humor comes naturally to Prabhu Deva and with his right kind of body language and histrionics, he makes Devi a delightful watch. He and Tamannaah are a treat to watch when they wear their dancing shoes and the latter is the perfect foil when it comes to matching the former’s dancing steps. The svelte beauty has strongly brought out the two dimensions of her character. Manasi who has dubbed for Tamannaah should be applauded for the variations she is bringing in her character.  Sonu Sood is apt. RJ Balaji peppers the happenings with his signature style dialogue delivery.

Since the film is a trilingual, the Tamil audiences might feel a little out of state. Added to that, some of the actors don’t help in giving the Tamil feel to the film. These are just minor niggles and Vijay scores big time in rendering a satisfying wholesome product.

On the technical side, Manush Nandan’s camera work translates the director’s vision enough. Sajid-Wajid’ score is pretty decent and the songs are well choreographed and make one getup and dance. But one may feel, they are from a Hindi film.

Devi works well for its humor, performance of the cast and the engrossing narration. Prabhu Deva making a comeback after a long time is also something to check out for and at the end of the film, we do wish that we get to see him more often on screen.