Karan Johar reveals why he was blown away by man of masses NTR Jr's 'Devara: Part 1'

The tides of Indian cinema are rising as two highly anticipated films, 'Devara: Part 1' starring NTR Jr. and 'Jigra' featuring Alia Bhatt, make waves across the industry. In a power-packed panel discussion dubbed 'Devara Ka Jigra,' Karan Johar joined NTR Jr., Alia Bhatt, and filmmaker Koratala Siva, giving audiences an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of these cinematic giants.

The panel discussion, which felt like a tsunami of anticipation sweeping through Bollywood and Tollywood, revealed not just the magic behind 'Devara - Part 1' and 'Jigra', but the sheer emotional scale of these projects. Both films are anchored in grand narratives, powerful performances, and a depth that promises to leave audiences adrift in wonder.

Karan Johar, a blockbuster juggernaut for over three decades, was particularly struck by the NTR Jr starrer. He shared, "I went to Hyderabad - Anil (Thadani) and me, and you know we met Apoorva (Mehta) and we saw 30—40 minutes of the (film's) material, and I was kind of blown away because it's a totally different world that he's taken us to. That world is new, it's totally new. But there are elements that are so impactful when you see it."

Johar's words were waves of praise, as he further added, "Every time he faces the camera as Devara, there is this kind of magic that just happens. I felt like I've seen all your work, and I felt like with (Koratala) Siva, there is something special. There is something that he taps into you. There is something that comes right out, and I've seen that in Janatha Garage and saw that again in Devara."

'Devara: Part 1' is set for release on September 27, 2024. The film is directed by Koratala Siva and produced by Yuvasudha Arts and NTR Arts, with presentation by Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.