After delivering the blockbuster K.G.F. Chapter 2 last year, director Prashanth Neel is back with his biggest film to date, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, which stars South Indian superstar Prabhas (Baahubali: The Beginning; Baahubali 2: The Conclusion) in the lead role as Deva, a man who must rise against the odds to stop the forces of evil.
The film, set in the fictional city-state of Khansaar, begins in 1985 and tells the story of friends Deva (Prabhas) and Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran) who share an unwavering loyalty as adults, due to a pair of incidents as children where they each came to the other’s rescue. First, it was Deva who defended Vardha’s honor by winning his first - of many - big battles, and then, later Vardha repays the favor by rescuing Deva and Deva’s mother (Easwari Rao) mother from certain death, and granting the pair safe passage away from Khansaar, into a self-imposed exile we learn more about later on in the film.
Flash forward to 2017 and we’re reintroduced to Deva, as an adult, who comes to the rescue of a woman named Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), the daughter of a businessman who finds herself in danger when her father’s rivals come to kidnap her. However, thanks to the timely intervention of Deva, she manages to evade capture and learns more about their mysterious past. It’s also here, where we finally get to see Deva show off some of his might, having previously sworn to his mother that he wouldn’t engage in any violence until she gave him the go-ahead, which she does here to save Aadhya from a fate worse than death.
Aadhya is then taught the tragic history of Khansaar, and begins to learn more about Deva’s role in the grand scheme of things. Without revealing too much, the film is essentially about a power struggle between rivaling factions, with one major betrayal and a subsequent assassination shaping the next few decades of the area’s history. However, with the resurgence of Deva, the future of Khansaar suddenly looks bright, for the first time in a long time, and, with his mother permitting him, he’s finally able to unleash his vengeance on those who have wronged the people of Khansaar and his family.
Director Prashanth Neel has crafted a film of truly epic proportions with Salaar, one where each frame is more impressive than the last. While the first act of the film may seem a tad confusing with how matters play out, it soon becomes clear that nearly every moment is by design as Neel would rather introduce us to his expansive world before peeling back the layers to show how things came to be, and it’s all worth the wait. The story may seem fairly straightforward, but, if you’re patient, there’s a whole Game of Thrones-sized plot hiding within that promises more twists and turns than you could imagine and a much bigger, and more violent, Part 2.
While the film has been sold based on the high amount of violence promised in the trailers, the first half of the film is relatively tame, especially in comparison to previous films in the genre, but when, the film does delve deeper into the violent nature of its leading characters, then, buckle up, because you’re in for a show. The action scenes are undoubtedly over the top, but Neel makes every blow count. He does an expert job of building anticipation for the major fight scenes and Prabhas is an easy hero to root for as he fights against injustice and defends the weak. Neel succeeds at making you care about his characters before putting them in life-threatening situations, the majority of which his heroes leave unscathed.
Speaking of Prabhas, the iconic Baahubali star, is nothing short of spectacular. He brings a raw intensity to the character, coupled with a vulnerability that adds layers to this otherwise tough protagonist. His immense presence in the role speaks volumes of his commitment, making Deva a character that is formidable yet relatable. He’s a silent, but deadly hero with ample amounts of leading man charm. Prithviraj Sukumaran is solid as Vardha, and his bond with Prabhas feels real and believable, while Shruti Haasan certainly makes an impression as Aadhya, although, unfortunately, she doesn’t get too much to do in the second half due to the nature of the story. However, we’d expect a more expanded presence in the sequel.
Bhuvan Gowda’s cinematography is quite simply stunning. His camera work is innovative, capturing the grandeur of the landscapes and the intensity of the action sequences, and really enhances the film throughout. Another major boon is Ravi Basrur’s score and soundtrack, which are simultaneously haunting and exhilarating, perfectly complementing the film’s tone. While there are no real chartbusters, the music stays with you long after the credits roll.
In terms of criticisms, the editing could’ve been tighter as it tends to lose momentum from time to time, before regaining it leading into an action sequence. There isn’t much senseless violence in the film, since all of it does technically mean something in context, but we likely could’ve been better served if the film were told slightly more chronologically. Also, while you rarely feel bored, the film could’ve used a shorter runtime or, at least, more time with Prabhas’ Deva. He’s a magnetic figure you want to see more of and the film has large chunks where he’s nowhere to be found.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is a film that must be seen to be believed. While it’s very much set-up for an explosive Part 2 conclusion, the first chapter in this saga is quite an impressive endeavor from director Prashanth Neel, who has firmly established himself as one of India’s more impressive visual directors. His first collaboration with Prabhas is an enjoyable affair that introduces a very likable new action hero to the subcontinent and promises plenty of violent bloodshed that should have audiences clamoring for more!