Salaar Review: Ceasefire, a High Octane action drama

Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire is a Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Prashanth Neel. The film has Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shruti Hassan in lead roles while Tinnu Anand, Easwari Rao, Bobby Simha, Jagapathi Babu, Sriya Reddy, Garuda Ram, Madhu Guruswamy, John Vijay, Saptagiri, Prudhvi Raj, Jhansi, Mime Gopi & others are seen playing important supporting characters. The music is composed by Ravi Basrur and the film is produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films banner.

Story:

In the city of Khansar, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu) plans to make his son Vardharaja Mannar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) as his successor, but Raja Mannar’s ministers and advisors plan to kill them by hiring armies from Russia and Serbia. In this attack, Vardharaja manages to escape from Khansar and goes to his childhood best friend Deva (Prabhas) in Mannar. Will Deva help Varadharaja to become the successor of Khansar has to be seen on the big screens..

On Screen talents:

Prabhas screen presence is terrific and he kills it in the action episodes. Prithviraj Sukumaran performed really well as Prabhas’s friend. Shruthi Hassan is just ok and her screen time is limited. Easwari rao did good as Prabhas mother. Sriya reddy as Prithviraj’s step sister did really well in her role. Bobby Simha, Jagapathi Babu, Jhansi and Tinnu Anand did justice to their roles

Off screen talents:

The story by Prashanth Neel is good and the drama works in parts. The friendship bond both Prabhas & Prithviraj share on screen and all their combination scenes are a treat for the audiences on big screens.

Prashanth Neel’s non linear screenplay is interesting but pace is slow. Despite such a vast storyline and so many characters, his writing flows smoothly. Also, he makes sure that the film has enough mass moments to satisfy the fans and he will surely fulfill all the fan’s dreams of seeing Prabhas in an out-and-out mass role.

Prashanth Neel’s direction is supreme. He deserves kudos for imagining something of this sort and then executing it in a satisfactory manner.

The songs are good and go along with the narrative. Ravi Basrur’s

background score is scintillating and elevates the film to a whole new level mainly in action episodes.

Cinematographer Bhuvan Gowda once again repeats what he had done with the KGF franchise. His frames are grand and he captures the film in the perfect light. The desaturated color palette adds on to the mood of the film. Editing could have been better as one feels the movie lengthy.

What’s hot:

1. Prabhas Screen presence
2. Visual Grandeur
3. BGM in action scenes
4. 3 action sequences

What’s not:

1. Lengthy
2. Slow Narration
3. Artificial emotions in 1^st half
4. Not so great ending

Verdict: Overall, Salaar is a friendship based action drama with an imaginary Khansaar as background similar to KGF, which engages audience in parts. For couple of high octane sequences and bgm its a one time watch for sure, but keep your expectations in check from pace standpoint

Telugubulletin Rating: 2.75/5

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Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is an epic action thriller film written and directed by Prashanth Neel and produced by Vijay Kiragandur. The film stars Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles, along with an ensemble supporting cast that includes Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, and Bobby Simha. It is a retelling of Neel’s debut film Ugramm (2014).

The film has music composed by Ravi Basrur, cinematography handled by Bhuvan Gowda and editing by Ujwal Kulkarni.

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12.45 A.M: Movie opens with Deva ( junior Prabhas) standing up for his friend Vardha. In return Vardha saves Deva and his mother.

01.15  A.M: There is lot of resemblance to KGF franchise. Deva ( prabhas) lives in Assam. His mother amma ( Eshwari Rao) plays an important role.

01.30 A.M: First fight in coal mine and the emotion that leads up to the fight is excellent. BGM and elevations are superb in this fight.

First Half Report: Neel took a bit of time to establish the emotion. Background score takes the move next level after Deva’s comeback.Elevations on Prabhas are good.

Except few slow scenes first half is engaging. Interval conflict is good, largely depends on how second half is going to be.

02:45 A.M: Second half starts with Back story of Deva and Varadha in Khansaar.

03.30 A.M: Leading to climax, more drama in the second half. Slow narration so far.

Final Report: 

Overall, Salaar is a friendship based action drama with an imaginary Khansaar as background similar to KGF, which engages audience in parts. For couple of high octane sequences and bgm its a one time watch for sure, but keep your expectations in check from pace standpoint

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