The film stars N. T. Rama Rao Jr in dual roles, alongside Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, Prakash Raj, Srikanth and Shine Tom Chacko.

Devara: Part 1 released worldwide on 27 September 2024 in standard, IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX, D-Box, MX4D and PVR ICE formats to mixed reviews from critics.

[10][11] In 1996, a high-level meeting is held concerning security threats to the 1996 Cricket World Cup in India from arms dealer Daya and his brother, Yethi.

They approach DSP Tulasi, who tells them that Muruga is dead, and to visit the Red Sea villages in the Ratnagiri mountains on the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border.

In February 2020, N. T. Rama Rao Jr and Trivikram Srinivas were reported to be collaborating on a second film, following Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018), tentatively titled NTR30.

[16] Later that July, Koratala Siva announced another project, AA21, with Allu Arjun in the lead, to be produced by former distributor Sudhakar Mikkilineni's newly launched production studio, Yuvasudha Arts.

[23] Following the box-office failure of Acharya, Siva wanted to fine-tune the script making necessary changes before finalising it as a draft, which delayed the commencement of filming throughout late 2022.

[26] Initially set to begin production on 24 February, work on the project was delayed due to the death of Taraka Ratna as well as Rama Rao's participation in the Academy Awards campaign for RRR.

[27] The film was officially launched on 23 March with a puja ceremony held in Hyderabad with the presence of the cast and crew and S. S. Rajamouli preceding with the muhurtam shot.

[30] The technical crew consist of musician Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographer R. Rathnavelu, editor A. Sreekar Prasad, production designer Sabu Cyril, stunt choreographer Kenny Bates and visual effects supervisors Brad Minnich and Yugandhar T.[31][32] Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur and Rashmika Mandanna were considered to play the female lead, but turned down the offer.

[42] In February 2024, reports surfaced stating that Shruti Marathe, a Marathi actress, had been chosen to star alongside Jr NTR.

He further added that he had been searching for an actress who complemented Devara's personality and he clarified that if he had cast any reputed actor then perhaps their image would have sidelined the role.

[63] In the same month, the team moved to Krabi, Thailand for filming a romantic song featuring Rama Rao and Jhanvi ("Chuttamalle") which was choreographed by Bosco Martis.

[66] Due to multiple leaks throughout the production, the portions were filmed inside closed sets with the crew members restricted from using phones throughout the schedule.

[74] Sequences that demanded visual effects were filmed earlier so that the team could work on them within a four-month duration, and the process was supervised by international companies.

[83] The film's soundtrack album and background score were composed by Anirudh Ravichander in his fourth Telugu project after Agnyaathavaasi (2018), Jersey (2019), and Nani's Gang Leader (2019).

[113][114] Prior to the release, the makers trimmed seven minutes from the Hindi dubbed version featuring some solo scenes of Telugu actors in order to cater to a broader audience.

[128] While earlier reports claimed that the film's theatrical rights for the Hindi version had been sold for ₹45–60 crore (US$5.4–7.2 million,[b] with Deccan Chronicle attributing the huge price in the Hindi version to Rama Rao's fan following among the audiences in North India, as well as his Bollywood debut with War 2, calling it as "one of the highest rates for a Telugu actor in recent times".

[137] Mahpara Kabir of ABP Live gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "Devara: Part 1 is a gripping action drama that offers an entertaining cinematic experience.

Jr NTR delivers a stellar performance in two distinct roles, while Saif Ali Khan shines as the vengeful antagonist.

The film's stunning visuals, epic action sequences, and compelling performances make it a must-watch, even if the storyline becomes predictable at times.

"[139] Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Devara: Part 1 is visually stunning but narratively underwhelming.

Jr NTR's solid performance, combined with high production values and Anirudh's score, makes it worth watching.

"[140] Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Saif Ali Khan and NTR Jr ’s performance are larger than life, but only if some justice was done to the role given to Janhvi Kapoor, the movie could have been a super-hit.

"[142] Sashidhar Adivi of Times Now gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Devara manages to dish up more action to drama to romance and even exotic locations in songs.

"[143] Avad Mohammed of OTTplay gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Devara: Part 1 is a stylish action drama that has Jr NTR's terrific performance.

"[146] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan's film is a mixed bag.

"[148] BVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle gave 2/5 stars and wrote "Director Koratala Siva should have selected a relatable script, than a fictional and weak plot for a big hero like NTR.

[150] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote "Director Koratala Siva and Jr NTR mount an intense action drama, with huge help from Anirudh Ravichander, only for the later portions to lose steam in the over-zealousness to stretch the story for a sequel.

"[151] Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times wrote "Koratala cannot help but write characters who want to save the world, and while that might not be a bad thing, it does feel repetitive.