Development

In early-August 2022, it was reported that Rosshan Andrrews visited Shahid Kapoor at his residence and narrated a script which impressed him.^[3][4] Later, in November 2022, Rosshan Andrrews through his social media handles, confirmed that he would direct Shahid Kapoor in his upcoming film.^[5] Touted to be an action thriller, the film marks the first collaboration between director Rosshan Andrews and Shahid Kapoor, and the first Hindi venture of Rosshan.^[6][7]

The film is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur's Roy Kapur Films and Zee Studios.^[8] The company made a public announcement on 25 May 2023, confirming the project.^[9] The film's official title Deva was revealed on 24 October 2023, on the occasion of Dussehra.^[10] It marked the third collaboration of Shahid Kapoor with Siddharth Roy Kapur, after Kaminey (2009) and Haider (2014).^[11] Shariq Patel of Zee Studios revealed that he had been in separate discussions with Siddharth and Shahid over the years about different projects. Somehow they didn't materialise and it took this film to come together and this is the first time that the Zee Studios have collaborated with both director and actor.^[11] Kapoor reduced his remuneration for the film and was reported to receive ₹25 crore (US$3.1 million) as actor's remuneration.^[12]

Pre-production

Pre-production started on 16 November 2022.^[13] It took several months for the writing and pre-production.^[14] The film is scripted by the duo Bobby–Sanjay, in their ninth collaboration with Rosshan.^[15] Sumit Arora, Hussain Dalal, Abbas Dalal and Arshad Syed wrote the Hindi dialogues for the film.^[16][17] Later, Rosshan began location scouting for the film and shared a few pictures through his Instagram page.^[18][19] Kapoor stated the film is an "edgy action thriller with lots of action and thrill".^[20]

Sachet–Parampara would compose the songs, and background score by Jakes Bejoy. Technicians include cinematographer Amit Roy, editor A. Sreekar Prasad, production designer Sandeep Ravade, stunt director Parvez Shaikh, costume designers Malavika Kashikar and Chandani Mehta.^[21] Prior to the start of film production, Kapoor attended a special workshop in October 2023, in order to train physically and intensively for his role in the film.^[22]

Casting

Shahid Kapoor plays the role of a police officer in the film,^[23] and sported a short hairstyle for his character, similar to his look in Haider (2014).^[24] He said he is playing "a very hard character" in the film.^[25] In May 2023, Pooja Hegde was reported to be the lead actress,^[26] and her inclusion was confirmed by makers on 13 October 2023, on Hegde's birthday.^[27] The makers wanted "a fresh casting" and finalised Hegde, marking her maiden collaboration with both Rosshan and Kapoor.^[28]

Kubbra Sait joined the cast in early-November 2023,^[29] and would play police officer role.^[30] The film marks her second collaboration with Kapoor, after web series Farzi.^[2] For her character, she underwent training for three months during the project's pre-production process, and also went through a workshop in Mumbai.^[31] In late-November, Pavail Gulati joined the cast,^[32] marking his first action film.^[33] Gulati felt his role "demands physical and mental dedication".^[34] For that he attended a special workshop in January 2024, in order to train physically and intensively for his role in the film.^[35] For some challenging scenes involving hand-to-hand combat scenes featuring Gulati, Rosshan initially considered hiring a body double, but said he felt the body double's work was inauthentic and did it himself.^[36]

Filming

Principal photography commenced with a muhurat shot on 12 October 2023 with the film's cast and crew.^[37] Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde joined in this schedule, in Mumbai.^[38] Later in November, Kubbra Sait and Pavail Gulati joined this schedule.^[39][40] The schedule was extensively shot at Dongri Charnul, Mumbai.^[41] The first schedule was wrapped in Mumbai on 21 December 2023.^[42] In late-February stills were revealed by the official social media handles for the film under the tagline #OnTheSetsOfDeva.^[43]

The second schedule of the film was began in March 2024 in Mumbai, with Gulati joining the schedule.^[44] Hegde joined the schedule on 14 March 2024.^[45] On the next day, Kapoor joined the schedule on 15 March.^[46] Kapoor shot some action and chasing scenes in this schedule in Mumbai.^[47] Gulati was trained with the stunt directors before filming a hand-to-hand combat sequence in Mumbai in late March.^[48]

Theatrical

Deva is scheduled to release on 11 October 2024, coinciding Dussehra.^[50]

Home media

The digital streaming rights were acquired by ZEE5 and the satellite rights by Zee Cinema.^[51]