Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire review: Neel’s la la land painted in black comes with usual elevations, actions, loud BGM, and a new larger-than-life hero!

Before we begin, a word of caution to everyone who is not suffering from “OCD with monochrome”. Salaar: part 1-Ceasefire is almost three hours in duration. So, be well prepared to get accustomed to the black colour.

Also, don’t be surprised if you find yourself asleep in the middle of the film. Well, chances are less with the ear-shattering background score waking you up now and then!

Disclaimer: All the aforementioned “caution” strictly do not apply to the die-hard fans of Prabhas or Prashanth Neel. Peace.

Now, let’s begin…

Upgraded version

Ever since the movie went on the floors, there have been talks about the first part of Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire being the remake of Prashanth Neel’s Kannada directorial Ugramm (2014).

Those unaware of the Kannada film, do watch it as it is very much available on the video search engine — YouTube for free.

Well, though not a clear-cut copy-paste of Ugramm, it is certainly an upgraded version with few modifications to suit the big budget and pan-India star actors like Prabhas.

The actor has been looking to rebound after the humongous success of SS Rajamouli’s brilliant Baahubali (2015 & 2017) series.

Needless to say, the story revolves around Prabhas’ character Deva.

While in Ugramm, the plot revolves around Agastya and Baala, here, it is between Deva and Varadharaj Mannar (Prithviraj).

In the Kannada version, the epicentre is Prashanth Neel’s first la la land called Mughor and here, it is Khansaar — which has a history dating back to the year 1127!

Thankfully, most of Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire happens in the present day.

The rest of the story is for the viewer’s wild imagination given the fact that it comes from Neel’s la la land!

Experience the epic action saga, #SalaarCeaseFire at your nearest cinemas from TODAY 🔥#Salaar #Prabhas #PrashanthNeel @PrithviOfficial @shrutihaasan @VKiragandur @hombalefilms @IamJagguBhai @sriyareddy @bhuvangowda84 @RaviBasrur @vchalapathi_art @anbariv @SalaarTheSaga pic.twitter.com/44gzrsgv3k

— Hombale Films (@hombalefilms) December 21, 2023

Essential ingredients

To make a Prashanth Neel-style film, one needs a larger-than-life hero. The bigger the better.

Next is to write a script that has a protagonist, who can smash an entire army of villains.

Then, add as many elevations (build-up) scenes as possible plus umpteen numbers of slow motion from every angle possible.

Do not forget the loud background music to give the scenes the drama needs. Abnormal costumes, black themes, including make-up, barring only a few like the heroine is a must.

For emotions, one can choose either a mother-son sentiment or the universally accepted friendship saga.

Did we forget the “love interest”? Well, do sprinkle a few bits if time permits.

All of this must and should take place in a “la la land”, which has a rule and ruler of its own. Of course, it comes with a set of villains and backstabbing and double cross characters. Phew!

Sorry, I missed new kinds of weapons and new styles of killing. Just do not dare to count the bodies.

Essentially, one needs the mastermind of Prashanth Neel himself to execute it to perfection that can make a set of audience go berserk resulting in crores and crores of returns at the box office.

Dinosaur

Among many great skills, Neel is certainly good at elevation scenes.

Imagine someone talking about a ferocious wild animal such as a tiger through graphic explanation with force.

For example, imagine a scenario, wherein someone is explaining a one-of-a-kind tiger, which is rare and special and also the most dangerous.

“It is not any tiger but a tiger that is equal to a thousand tigers. A single glance can instantly kill many. Its roar can be heard till a thousand miles, and so on.” How did it sound?

Isn’t it better than just showing a tiger simply walking into a scene and being in its usual nature?

Just imagine, Prabhas in the place of the aforementioned example of a tiger and you have it!

Prabhas, the one-man army

Whatever is said and done, Prabhas is a treat to watch on the screen, thanks to Neel’s elevation skills.

Though very less on dialogue, Prabhas saves them all for the right moment to hit it hard to the core, and the same with his action sequences.

Without the presence of Prabhas like star attraction, Salaar: Part 1-Ceasefire would fall like a house of cards

Minus all the shortcomings, the film is set to break a few records at the box office and if that happens, the credit would go to Prabhas and Prashanth Neel for the presentation.

Insofar as the quality of content is concerned, it is disappointing for those who don’t like Neel’s kind of films and vice-versa.

Verdict

Prashanth Neel does it again with upgraded and modified elements. This time, it’s Prabhas in the limelight.

Like it or not, you certainly cannot ignore this mayhem.

(Views expressed here are personal.)