Salaar Part 1- Ceasefire REVIEW: Prabhas and Prithviraj starrer is a mass entertainer with a riveting story but the comparison with Prashant Neel’s KGF is inevitable

Film:
Salaar Part 1- Ceasefire movie review

Director: Prashanth Neel

Star cast: Prabhas, Shruti Haasan, Prithviraj Sukumaran

Runtime: 2 hours 55 mins

Platform: Theatre

Salaar Part 1- Ceasefire movie review

When Salaar Part 1- Ceasefire trailer was released, a lot of people only said one thing- that it reminded them of KGF. Now, after watching the movie, the comparison between the two is inevitable. People are bound to compare the two movies but they are different in their ways and you will understand once you watch the movie. Prashanth Neel once again brings an action-packed movie with great action sequences and larger-than-life characters. As Salaar Part 1- Ceasefire is released on December 22, here’s a review of it.

Salaar Part 1 Ceasefire is like Game of Thrones where people kill each other just to claim the throne. However, there are no kingdoms but criminal clans that need the power of the throne. Vardha’s father Rajamanaar is the ruler of Khansar – a powerful place where government laws don’t apply. Amidst the war of power, it shows the tale of two friends who become foes. The first half of the story looks very convoluted as half of the things just don’t make sense to you. Everything moves so fast that you are not able to grasp the information. However, you get a clear picture in the second half of the story.

It tells you why Rajamannaar is the ruler and who deserves the throne. To be honest, it does take a while to register but at the end of the movie, the story becomes very interesting. Nevertheless, a lot of questions are left unanswered as they will be shown in the second part. Salaar announces the sequel at the end of the movie while ending it on a cliffhanger note.

Story

Two boys named Deva and Vardha have been best friends since childhood. One day when he learns that some people are bullying Vardha (Prithviraj), Deva (Prabhas) teaches them a lesson. He then fights with them and at that time they all get to know Deva’s power and capability. Vardha then gives him a title called ‘Salaar’. However, due to one tragic incident, Vardha who is the prince of his clan saved Deva and his mother and asked them to leave the village forever. Later, after 25 years, Vardha needed Deva and him for help when other criminal gangs vowed to kill Vardha to claim power. Deva comes back to the village to protect his friend and this creates fear among all the clans. But why is Deva so powerful and who is Deva?

What’s best about Salaar

Action sequences: Nowadays, action has become one of the key elements of the movie after the content. The makers ensure to have banging action sequences and that’s what Prashanth Neel has followed. After making KGF, Neel takes the action a few notches higher which looks quite entertaining. It will surely increase your adrenaline rush. They have been well-choreographed and well-edited without making it over the top. You’ll enjoy it thoroughly if action is your cup of tea.

Storyline: At first, I was very confused about the story; however, it turned out to be gripping in the second half when every puzzle piece fell right into place. I won’t say it was a strong story but it was quite intriguing and you will want to know more about it. The best thing I felt was that it was not predictable but in fact, will you surprised at the end of the movie when several secrets unfold. The movie goes on at a perfect pace that doesn’t make you feel tired.

Star performances: Prabhas and Prithiviraj are two powerhouses that make the movie impactful. They both have done a fantastic job and they will keep you hooked throughout the movie.

Visual effects: VFX of Salaar looks quite appealing instead of making it look patchy. The city of Khansaar looks spectacular and grand. Kudos to the VFX department for envisioning and creating this visually stunning cinematic piece.

What didn’t work for Salaar

Direction: Salaar was giving me KGF vibes. There was nothing new Prashanth was offering us in terms of direction. The undertone of colours, the conflicts, the overdose of drama and others. We have witnessed that in his previous film and hence, I felt the saturation. Like in KGF, Deva also works in a coal mine and we get to see a similar shot in this movie as well. Rocky loves his mother and similarly, Salaar is also obedient to his mother and listens to whatever she says.

OTT drama: Okay, South movies are overloaded with drama. Prashanth Neel has added extra kilos of drama which was quite over the top in some scenes. Among many, there’s a scene where Deva kills a bad man but the build-up around the scene is too much to handle. Not just drama, even scenes are too OTT. From Deva breaking the iron chains like a thread to squeezing the electric post like dough, it feels too unreal.

Characterisation: Along with epic action sequences, Prashanth is also known for giving larger-than-life characters. They are like demigods who are like messiahs to them. Well, we get to see a similar thing in this one as well. What bothered me was Shruti Haasan’s character in the movie. On one side the female characters have a strong presence and on the other side, Shruti’s character is shown as a damsel in distress. When Deva’s mother shouts ‘ae’, the entire village shuts down but when Shruti is being touched or eve-teased by some goons, she stands there helplessly without uttering a word. It bothered me a bit that is she not at least fighting a bit for herself. I’m not expecting a full-blown action with them but some reaction would have looked nice.

Performances

Prabhas delivers his best performance after Baahubali I feel. After SS Rajamouli’s directorial venture, I was waiting for Prabhas to bounce back and he did it. I liked how his character was shaped. A soft-spoken man Deva who is powerful yet kind, who is strong yet soft from heart. He is submissive but becomes fire when it comes to his mother or best friend Vardha. He is not loud but his actions are louder and that’s what I liked about his character. Prabhas plays it with utmost finesse and he will compel you to whistle at his every action and swag.

Giving a neck-to-neck competition to Prabhas is Prithviraj. He also delivers a solid performance as Vardharaj Mannaar. Though we get to see him in fewer action sequences, still he manages to demand attention for all the right reasons.

Shruti Haasan is hardly seen in the movie. Her character in Salaar is not being explored completely yet as I feel there will be more to her in the second part. She offers nothing significant with her part but in fact, feels the weakest link in the story right now. Given that a second part is going to come, I feel we need to wait and watch to see what Shruti offers in the next part.

Conclusion

Concluding my review on Salaar Part 1 Ceasefire, Prabhas and Prithviraj have set the screens on fire with their powerful presence. No one is good or bad, both are equally strong and impactful in their performance. It is high on action and emotions but the subtle doses of humour make it a delightful watch. Prashanth Neel’s directorial venture is a typical South mass entertainer which will make you hoot and whistle in almost every scene. The movie ends on a cliffhanger note while announcing the second part of the movie. Prashanth Neel ends it on such a high note that it will make you impatient to watch the next part.

Watch the trailer of Salaar Part 1- Ceasefire after the review

Also read: Dunki movie REVIEW: Shah Rukh Khan supremacy is written all over, Taapsee Pannu shines in Rajkumar Hirani’s emotional drama