Following the criticism and controversy that surrounded his previous film, “Adipurush”, Prabhas is ready to make his comeback today, on Friday, December 22nd, 2023, in the highly awaited action movie “Salaar.” The fact that it is directed by Prashanth Neel, the filmmaker behind the consecutive successes of “KGF 1 and 2”, contributes significantly to the increased excitement around Salaar. Fans are eager to see if the film will live up to the high standards set by the KGF series in terms of action and storytelling.
Directed by: Prashanth Neel
Produced by: Gauri Khan, Rajkumar Hirani, Jyoti Deshpande
Story by: Prashanth Neel
Screenplay: Prashanth Neel
Starring: Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran
Music by: Ravi Basrur
Cinematography by: Bhuvan Gowda
Edited by: Ujwal Kulkarni
Production company: Hombale Films
Distributed by: Prithviraj Productions, AA Films
Plot
“Salaar” tells the story of a strong friendship between two friends: a prince named Vardhraja Mannar and his loyal companion, Dev. Their friendship flourishes until tragedy strikes when Dev and his mother fall victim to a ruthless bandit attack. In a sacrificial gesture, Vardhraja surrenders his largest territory to save them. Dev, deeply moved by this act, pledges an eternal vow to shield the prince from any peril.
As the years pass, the story shifts to an adult Dev, portrayed by Prabhas, now leading a modest life as a miner in an Assam village. Despite his outwardly ordinary existence, Dev conceals a tumultuous and violent past, known only to those closest to him. The narrative takes an intriguing turn with the introduction of Aadhya, played by Shruti Hassan. Aadhya, who has come to India, becomes the target of dangerous individuals due to her father’s actions years ago. Dev, in charge of protecting Aadhya, becomes involved in a web of danger, potentially forcing him to confront the frightening and violent portions of his past.
Movie Review
Neel’s Salaar is a narrative powerhouse that cleverly weaves layers of storytelling. The story begins with two friends and progresses into a compelling epic of a man with a dark past who is dedicated to protecting an innocent woman. The story then shifts into an uncharted empire, revealing a world hidden from the rest of mankind.
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Performances
While the film features some amazing performances, Prabhas’ portrayal is a noteworthy flaw. He falls short of expressing the essence of his role as the main character. Instead of expressing the character’s depth, he comes across as just another action hero, lacking the powerful and emotional elements required. The remaining cast, on the other hand, excels with powerful performances, making up for Prabhas’ shortcoming.
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Cinematography and Soundtrack
Despite being good, the cinematography and audio are very similar to the KGF series. The dark colors, the blacked screens during the buildup scene, the way the film jumps from present to past, the narrative, the music during emotional and action scenes, everything will remind the audience of Neel’s previous films.
Location
The story takes place in two key locations. The first is a small town in Assam known for its coal mining that serves as a refuge for Prabhas and his mother. The second location, mysterious Khansaar, serves as the epicenter of criminal operations, wielding incredible power over illegal activities throughout India. This hidden location becomes the focal point of Salaar’s story, providing mystery and making it a distinctive feature in the broader plot.
Verdict
While the first half of the film follows action thriller standards, the second half takes a gripping turn with the inclusion of a compelling narrative. This latter section is extremely gripping, adding a new layer to the plot. It is worth mentioning, however, that the picture contains obvious echoes of Prashant Neel’s prior works, such as KGF, in both cinematography and narrative. This similarity could offer a huge difficulty for Salaar, as it borders the line between innovation and nostalgia.
MapsofIndia.com/MyIndia.in Rating: 3.5/5
