“I will come whenever you ask me to”

Baahubali beheaded Sethu pathi because he tried to touch Devasena.

Deva beheaded Naarang because he tried to touch Varadha.

Time and again, we were told in the movie about how dangerous Shouryangas were! How even if only one of them survives, they would come for revenge! Raja Mannar used the darkness of night to kill them all in their sleep. Even after thinking he had wiped out all the Shouryangas, he still lived in fear for 25 years, built walls and gathered an army. He was not unjustified in his fear too as Bhaarava and others were biding their time for revenge.

But it is interesting that all Deva, their true leader, cared about was Varadha, not revenge. When Aadhya asked Bilal if Deva knew that he was the rightful heir to the throne, he didn't reply. The movie ended with a suspense that Deva might have promised Varadha the throne, being unaware of his own claim.

I believe that Deva was fully aware of his identity. First of all, the scars on his back and sword ritual he performed during climax, proved that Deva's knowledge about its Shouryanga identity.

Secondly, only children survived the massacre. If Deva's birth and identity wasn't a public knowledge in the tribe, how could Bhaarava and others be aware of Deva's identity, with no surviving adults to tell them the secret.

Most of Deva's time in Khanshar was either spent with Varadha or sitting alone on the cliff, looking over the entire Khanshar. This fixation of Deva made me feel that Deva also wanted to take Khanshar from Raja Mannar as revenge, not for himself but for Varadha.

Varadha had given up his right to be a Dora and most probably his only chance of being his father's heir by throwing away the bracelet.

It was clear from the first scene that Varadha, being the child of the second wife, didn't enjoy the same power and prestige as Rudra. But Varadha could have a chance at being the heir if he could prove himself stronger than Rudra. Because in Khanshar strength prevails over everything. But he gave up his chance when he threw away the bracelet.

And Deva understood it very well. When Varadha threw away the bracelet and Ranga's father picked it up, Deva lowered his head in helplessness. He couldn't bear to see Varadha giving away his rights and only hope of life with dignity for his sake. He looked up only when he heard his Amma cry and went to hug her and cried in her arm. He was crying due to his inability to not only protect his mother, but also Varadha. That's why he shuddered when Varadha touched him to assure him of his support. There was a rage and determination in his eyes when Varadha asked them to leave immediately. And he didn't promise his Amma that he would never return to Khanshar, but promised Varadha instead.

That was the moment, Deva stopped being a person and became a weapon in Varadha's hands. Baba and Varadha realised this and named him Salaar. It was clear from Amma's dismay that she realised it too.

And that was the moment, Deva decided to give the entire Khanshar to Varadha and he was only waiting for Varadha to ask for it. That's why he asked why he didn't call him sooner, when Varadha questioned why he didn't come sooner. Deva was waiting for the last 25 years for Varadha to decide he wanted the throne and call him.

The scene when Deva stepped into the gates of Khanshar again was juxtaposed with a young Deva stepping out of Khanshar. When young Deva was stepping out he was looking back with determination and rage. His dialogue that walls were made to prevent people from getting in, not from getting out, further emphasized his understanding of Raja Mannar and his character.

During the climax fighting scene, right after Varadha declared that he wanted everything he was looking at, the scene changed to Raja Mannar telling Radha Rama that everyone was after his throne and then showed Deva's devilish smile, the reaction to Varadha's declaration. His reaction in the scene was like Varadha had finally said the words he was waiting to hear for so long.

Thiru was not correct, when he said every Shouryangas wanted revenge except Deva. Deva wanted revenge too, but not by burning Raja Mannar with his throne like Bhaarava and other Shouryangas. But his method of wreaking vengeance on Raja Mannar was to take his prized throne and give it to the son, whom he considered as a disgrace and let bullied since childhood. The son who was supposed to be his most promising legacy, if only he wasn't loyal to his most dangerous enemy.