Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire Movie Review
The film is told in a series of flashbacks narrated to Aadhya (Shruti Haasan). Her father has fallen foul of some dangerous folks. Aadhya, who has been living in the US, has come to immerse her mother’s ashes in India and suddenly sees her as the target of an assassination attempt. The guy who saves her takes her to live with Amma (Easwari Rao), who is running a school at the remote mining town of Tinsukia in Assam. Amma and her son Deva (Prabhas), also called Cutout by the neighbourhood kids, have been on the run for the past several years, shifting from place to place. Deva has a violent past and Amma doesn’t want it to catch up with his present. She forbids him to fight, and later takes back her diktat when Aadhya gets kidnapped. Aadhya wants to know about Deva’s life and as his cohorts narrate the tale, we come to know that he belongs to a dreaded place called Khansar. It’s the haven for smugglers and other criminal elements. It's been ruled by the headmen of three tribes for around a thousand years. The present ruler, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu), wants his son Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran), to be his heir but in his absence, the other factions go in for infighting, till his daughter calls for a ceasefire. The irony is that hundreds lost their lives during this ceasefire period, so we aren’t sure how many more will die in the sequel, when the ceasefire gets lifted.
The women in the film are relegated to secondary roles. While Shruti Haasan plays a damsel in distress, Easwari Rao plays a long-suffering mother and Sriya Reddy, who plays the firebrand daughter for a while, takes a step back when her father comes back on the scene. There is a whole sequence dedicated to Prabhas acting as a saviour to girls routinely being raped, acting as terminator towards the serial rapist and his gang.
The film rests squarely on the shoulders of its two leads. They’re inspired by Karna and Duryodhan and shown to be fierce warriors in their own merit. There is a stylised sequence where they both go up against an horde of drug-crazed zombies and that’s easily the best sequence of the film, with the leads comparing techniques and sassily commenting on each other’s kill ratio in between the killing. Both are shown to be extra broody, though Prabhas’ character opens up when he’s around kids. Prabhas, in particular, has been cast in the mould of a super-soldier. He’s more fast and powerful than anyone else and is a one-man army. He’s in the shape of his life and takes to the physicality of the role like duck to water. Both have an imposing screen presence and you see genuine camaraderie in their scenes together. The film comes to life in their scenes together. Going by the present story, the sequel would probably have them squaring off each other. So we’re in for some more stylised mayhem for sure.
This film is strictly made for mega action buffs. If you’ve a yen for massy, slo-mo action, with blood and gore splattered across almost every frame, then this is the film for you.
Trailer : Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire
Paul Nicodemus, December 22, 2023, 3:28 PM IST
Salaar Story: Deva, also known as Cutout (Prabhas), fondly called by children, lives near a coal mine with his mother (Easwari Rao) in the remote village of Tinsukia in Assam. For the last seven years, they have moved from place to place, with his mother keeping a stringent watch on Deva, shielding him from violence. Working as a mechanic, Deva is docile and minds his own business until Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), who is in danger from Obulamma (Jhansi), is brought into the mix by Billal for refuge. Meanwhile, in the tumultuous city of Khansar, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu) prepares to make his son, Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran), his successor. This decision triggers a dangerous coup, orchestrated by Mannar's ministers and advisors. The plot thickens as foreign armies from various countries are hired to cause chaos. As Radha, daughter and in charge of Khansar in Raja Mannar’s absence, announces a partial ceasefire of nine days before calling for a vote by representatives of 101 tribes of the empire. Under existential threat, Vardha calls on his childhood best friend, Deva. Will Deva embark on the perilous mission and save Vardha? Will there be a ceasefire or a bloodbath?
Salaar Review: Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, directed by Prashanth Neel, unfolds in the rustic and politically charged landscape of Khansar. This action-packed film, featuring Prabhas as Deva and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Vardharaja, is set against a backdrop of intrigue and rebellion, relying heavily on drama as well as swag and action. Prashanth has meticulously created the dystopian city of Khansar with intricate details, establishing a multitude of characters with a narrative spanning between 1747 and the present times. Reminiscent of Black Panther, the empire boasts 101 tribes with distinct characteristics, divided into three divisions, including Kaparlu (clan leaders) and Doralu (council members).
A man of few words, Prabhas packs a punch with his dialogues and looks slick in action sequences, making the film a feast for his ardent fans. Prashanth leaves no opportunity to elevate the character of Deva aka Salaar, masterfully making his protagonist appear larger than life. The screenplay takes its own sweet time in the first half to establish the character of Deva, creating a slow burn and preparing audiences for what is to come.
Prashanth Neel takes an unconventional route in narrating this dystopian world and its characters, leaning more towards international cinema. Much like the KGF franchise, the director adheres to a dark colour palette. The film eschews typical dance numbers or romantic melodies, instead relying on situational anthems sung by school children in the first half and by children from the Mahara tribe in the second half, which enhance the drama. The film explores themes of power, loyalty, betrayal, and the right to leadership, delving into the complexities of political machinations and personal allegiances, offering a compelling commentary on power struggles.
Prabhas, as Deva, is both electrifying and docile, delivering a performance that combines raw power with deep emotional depth. His portrayal of Salaar showcases his ability to balance raw aggression with subtle emotional nuances. Prithviraj Sukumaran, as Vardha, portrays the vulnerability and determination of a young heir caught in a political whirlwind, yet harboring his own strategic calculations. His compelling performance adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. As the film progresses, Prithviraj’s character exudes strength and valour. Shruti Haasan, in her role as Aadhya, brings a sense of balance but is mostly limited to the first half and a few scenes in the second.
Jagapathi Babu, as Raja Mannar, delivers a commanding performance, while Bobby Simha, Tinnu Anand, Easwari Rao, and others contribute significantly to the story's depth. The supporting cast, including Sriya Reddy, Ramachandra Raju, Madhu Guruswamy, John Vijay, Saptagiri, Prudhvi Raj, Jhansi and Mime Gopi, adds layers to the narrative.
The cinematography captures the essence of Khansar's tumultuous atmosphere, immersing the audience in the city's tension and drama. Ravi Basrur’s soundtrack adds a robust layer to the film's atmosphere, complementing the tone and heightening the emotional impact of certain scenes. The editing is sharp in the second half, though it cannot be said the same for the first. The special effects are effective, contributing significantly to the film's visual appeal.
The film does feature a certain amount of violence and bloodshed, which may not be palatable for certain sections of the audience. The first half is layered, focusing on the drama and sense of tension in the air. Audiences expecting a lot of action, comedy, and masala might be disappointed. However, it does score high on drama and action, with a bit of humour created through the delivery of dialogues or the body language of certain characters.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire combines political drama with high-stakes action and champions brotherhood. It is a riveting watch for those with a taste for grand and epic narratives. Fans of Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran will find much to admire in this intense and captivating film. It's a film that will entertain and impress with its scale, but might require some patience in the initial stages, mostly establishing the world of Khansar and its inhabitants and setting the stage for Salaar: Part 2.
