Cast: Prabhas, Shruti Haasan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jagapathi Babu, Sriya Reddy, Eeswari Rao, Garuda Ram, Tinu Anand and others
Director: Prashanth Neel
Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: Salaar opens with Varada Raja Mannar, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran, and his childhood friend Devavrata, portrayed by Prabhas. The film weaves a narrative spanning 25 years, with Deva’s return to Khansaar becoming the focal point. The first half captivates with fantastic narration, withholding crucial information and elevating Prabhas’s heroism.
Drawing parallels from Ugramm and adding the city of Khansaar, director Prashanth Neel introduces a mafia-ruled setting similar to KGF. The second half introduces a complex web of gangs vying for power, reminiscent of Game of Thrones. While these themes add depth, Neel struggles to maintain control over the narrative in the latter part.
Unlike Neel’s previous works, the emotional drive in Salaar falls short. The absence of a romantic thread, a daring move for an action film, doesn’t add depth to the characters. Additionally, the film lacks the impactful mother-son sentiment seen in KGF, leaving a void in the emotional connect.
Performances
Prabhas, post-Baahubali 2, commands the screen with exceptional charisma. The first fight showcases his style and swag, compensating for his limited presence in the second half. Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers a substantial performance, while Shruti Haasan’s character feels underdeveloped and inconsequential.
Visually Rich
The film’s technical aspects mirror the style of KGF, from cinematography to visual effects. The action sequences, especially the interval fight, stand out. However, the Khansaar episodes contribute to an underwhelming and confusing second half.
What Doesn’t Work
Despite engaging narration, the film leaves an impression that something crucial is missing. The second half’s underwhelming and confusing nature, coupled with the lack of effective emotional elements, hinders the overall impact. The film sets the stage for “Salaar 2 – Shouryaagana Parvam,” offering a glimpse of potential redemption.
Lastly
Salaar emerges as a visual delight for Prabhas enthusiasts, delivering robust action stunts within a lavishly crafted setting. The film captivates with its anticipation-building narrative in the first half, showcasing Prabhas’s prowess and charisma. However, as the story progresses, the film grapples with maintaining coherence, exposing some flaws in its execution. Despite its engaging moments, Salaar film leaves an indelible impression that something vital is missing from its overall narrative.
While it caters to the expectations of Prabhas fans and action movie aficionados with its thrilling sequences and grand production, the film falls short of achieving a seamless and satisfying storytelling experience.