Hindustan Times says even an in form Shahid Kapoor cannot save Deva from a predictable story, with the second half weakened by convoluted twists and incomplete character arcs.

Koimoi says Deva gives Shahid Kapoor a massy, fiery cop avatar and has a gripping first half, strong action and background score, but the second half falters with loopholes, underused supporting characters and an underwhelming climax.

BollywoodLife says Shahid Kapoor’s flawless performance saves the day in this whodunnit cop drama, with the film working best when focused on his intense screen presence.

Pinkvilla says Deva is a slow and sometimes tedious but rewarding thriller drama, with Shahid Kapoor and Pavail Gulati delivering strong performances and the final 30 minutes giving the film its payoff.

Bollywood Hungama calls Deva a mixed bag, saying it has a powerhouse Shahid Kapoor performance and good moments but is weakened by writing issues.

News18 says Deva finds its voice in the second half and becomes a gripping, character-driven mystery, helped by unpredictability, strong performances and polished execution.

Filmibeat says Shahid Kapoor’s acting is the saving grace of an otherwise messy action thriller, criticising the weak writing and underwritten Pooja Hegde character.

Times of India calls Deva an engaging and entertaining, though slow, thriller. The review praises Shahid Kapoor’s performance, raw appeal, slick execution, action and background score, while noting loopholes, unexplored arcs and an uneven pace.

India TV News: India TV News says Deva marks a below average Bollywood debut for director Rosshan Andrrews, with Shahid Kapoor’s intense cop act and “hooliganism” not enough to overcome the film’s weak writing and uneven execution.

India Today says Deva relies heavily on Shahid Kapoor’s swagger and energy, but loses the shock value of Mumbai Police and suffers from uneven pacing; still, Shahid’s presence keeps it afloat as a one time watch.