Review: Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire: Prabhas’ Power in KGF Setting

Published on: December 22, 2023

Piktalk.com Evaluation: 3/5

Cast: Prabhas, Prithviraj, Shruthi Haasan, Tinu Anand, Eshwari Rao, Jagapathi Babu, Sriya Reddy, Garuda Ram

Directed by: Prashanth Neel

Produced by: Vijay Kiragandur

Music by: Ravi Basrur

Cinematography: Bhuvan Gowda

Editing: Ujwal Kulkarni

Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, the long-anticipated collaboration between Prabhas and Prashanth Neel, finally hit the global screens today after a three-year wait. Let’s dissect our review to determine if the film roars with the impact of a dinosaur or falls short.

Plot Summary:

Deva (Prabhas), living a low-key life in Tinsukia with a mysterious past and his mother, faces disruption when a group of thugs targets Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), a newcomer in town. Deva discovers that his best friend Varadharaja Mannar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) in Khansaar city is behind the scheme, sparking a war that raises crucial questions. Who is Aadhya? What connects her to Varadharaj? What led to the rivalry between the two best friends? The film unravels the answers.

Highlights:

After a substantial hiatus, fans witness Prabhas in a robust action role, expertly presented by Prashanth Neel, who skillfully captures the essence of the Herculean Prabhas as desired by fans.

Prabhas seamlessly embodies the character of Deva, aka Salaar, making it difficult to imagine another actor in the role. His character, with minimal dialogue, radiates violence, showcasing his physique, dialogue delivery, and overall fan-friendly persona. Prabhas’ intense and ruthless demeanor, especially in action sequences, keeps the audience enthralled.

Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers a commendable performance, adding significant depth to the film. His unexpected proficiency in Telugu and compelling scenes opposite Prabhas enhance the viewing experience.

The first half of the story leaves a strong impact, featuring Prashanth Neel’s signature racy, crisp, and uplifting screenplay. Outstanding action sequences are complemented by a stellar score. Whistle-worthy moments, including the interval, climax, and elevations, contribute to the film’s appeal.

Drawbacks:

While the first half maintains a decent pace, the second half could have benefited from a more refined narration. Some scenes in the latter part may evoke comparisons with KGF, affecting the film’s originality.

Despite a substantial supporting cast, Prashanth Neel predominantly highlights actors like Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, John Vijay, and Sriya Reddy, sidelining others like Brahmaji and Jhansi, who may have more significant roles later in the series.

The abundance of violence in this section may hinder family audiences from connecting with the film.

Technical Aspects:

Prashanth Neel once again showcases his directorial prowess, skillfully using simple scenes to elevate heroism. However, a more focused approach to the story and screenplay in the second half could have improved the overall narrative.

Ravi Basrur delivers a satisfactory job, and his score contributes to elevating key scenes. Bhuvan Gowda’s cinematography is commendable, and Anbarivu’s stunts stand out as a highlight. While Ujwal Kulkarni’s editing could have been more refined in the second hour, the production values are praiseworthy.

Verdict:

In summary, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire emerges as an intense action drama featuring a stellar performance by Prabhas, especially in action sequences, and Prithviraj. The well-executed stunts enhance the film’s overall appeal. However, the straightforward narrative, a somewhat dragging second half, and excessive violence are notable drawbacks. If you’re a fan of Prabhas or enjoy high-octane, action-packed films, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is worth a watch this weekend.

Piktalk.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by the Piktalk Team