Name: Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023)
Genre: Action, Thriller
Released: 2023-12-22
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Prabhas, Shruti Hassan, Jagapati Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Easwari Rao

Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire is a multilingual  movie starring Prabhas in a prominent role. It is an action thriller directed by Prashanth Neel.

Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023)

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SALAAR: PART 1 – CEASEFIRE is the story of a fearless man. The year is 2017. Aadhya (Shruti Haasan) arrives on a fake passport in India after hiding in the USA for almost 7 years. Aadhya keeps her father Krishnakant in the dark about her decision to land in Varanasi. Krishnakant’s enemies, however, get to know and they station their men outside Varanasi airport. They attempt to kidnap Adhya; on the other hand, Krishnakant asks Bilal (Mime Gopi) for help. Bilal smartly gets Adhya out of their clutches and takes her to Tinsukia, Assam. Here, he tells Deva (Prabhas) to take care of her. Prabhas’ mother (Easwari Rao), a strict headmaster of a school, has no idea about the danger to Adhya’s life. The mother employs Adhya as an English teacher in her school. Sadly, the plan is foiled as Krishnakant’s enemies find out about Adhya’s location. Meanwhile, from Kandla Port, a consignment with a prestigious seal is on its way to Burma. The men are told to go via Tinsukia and kidnap Aadhya. They do so but the truck is forced to stop as Deva attacks the team while trying to save Aadhya. However, it’s forbidden to stop the truck with the seal as it belongs to Khansaar, an autonomous, lawless territory. Vardharaja (Prithviraj Sukumaran) of Khansaar is informed about this fiasco and that his childhood friend Deva is the one who committed the ‘crime’. What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Prashanth Neel's story is detailed and quite imaginative. At the same time, the mass moments are well taken care of. Prashanth Neel's screenplay is massy and entertaining. He uses the KGF template to heighten the tension and commercial moments to give the audience their money’s worth. However, there are far too many characters in Khansaar and it’s sure to confuse viewers. Dr Suri, Riya Mukherjee and Maneesh's Hindi dialogues are sharp.

Prashanth Neel's direction is exemplary. To give credit where it’s due, he has riddled the film with interesting characters and a fascinating lawless world. The depiction is superb and fit for a big-screen experience. His USP is that he adds to the scene by having parallel sequences which are as tension-filled as the principal sequence. The way he switches between the two sequences while establishing a common factor between them is seen to be believed. He also smartly doesn’t let Deva attack initially so that when he does, the impact is manifold. This happens in the second half as well, where the audience will go in a frenzy.

On the flipside, the biggest issue is that it’s extremely complicated. Apart from too many players in Khansaar, they have their politics and many of them are related to each other. The audience will find it difficult to get the hang of the complete picture and also the conflict. In fact, the whole ‘Ceasefire’ track is not easy to decipher. The twist in the climax is intended to amaze the audience and that doesn’t happen. Also, the pace is slow and the scenes of suffering go on and on. This formula worked well in KGF - CHAPTER 1 [2018] but here, the impact is limited.

Speaking of performances, Prabhas could have done better but his performance is much better than his works in ADIPURUSH [2023], RADHE SHYAM [2022], SAAHO [2018] etc. He looks at ease in doing action and his starry screen presence is enough for the mass audience to root for him. Shruti Haasan is hardly there and is just fine. Easwari Rao leaves a mark. Mime Gopi and the actor playing Krishnkant are quite good. Jagapathi Babu (Raja Mannar), Sriya Reddy (Radha Rama Mannar), Ramachandra Raju (Rudra) and Tinnu Anand (Gaikwad) deliver fine performances. John Vijay (Ranga) hams. The actors playing Selfie, Vishnu and Bharwa are okay.

Ravi Basrur's music is soulful but both the songs 'Sooraj Hi Chhaon Banke' and 'Qisson Mein' won’t have a shelf life. Ravi Basrur's background score is not too loud and works.

Bhuvan Gowda's cinematography is first-rate. Anbariv's action is very violent and disturbing. T L Venkatachalapathi's production design is well researched. Thota Vijay Bhaskar's costumes are stylish. Prime Focus's VFX is top-class. Ujwal Kulkarni's editing is stylish and could have been sharper as the film drags in certain places.
On the whole, SALAAR: PART 1 – CEASEFIRE boasts of whistle-worthy moments that will be loved by the masses.

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.

''Salaar' is like 'Game of Thrones'', said Prithviraj Sukumaran in pre-release promotional events. Let's rewind to the 2010s when people were glued to 'Game of Thrones' and eagerly waiting for what was about to happen. The world, kingdoms, politics, love, betrayal, and, of course, action, kept us hooked. Fast forward to 2023, director Prashanth Neel, with 'Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire' has gifted fans a desi 'Game of Thrones', which gets the 'KGF' treatment.
Deva (Prabhas), fondly called Cutout by children in the village of Assam's Tinsukia, works at a nearby coal mine. He lives with his mother, who has instructed him not to cause any trouble. He's called Cutout for that reason. Known for his calm demeanor, he never engages in conflicts or displays anger. Meanwhile, Aadhya (Shruti Haasan) arrives in India and finds herself in grave danger. The only person in the world capable of saving her is Deva.

Parallelly, in the fictional city of Khansar, King Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu) wants to make his son, Varadha (Prithviraj Sukumaran), his successor. However, this decision doesn't sit well with the ministers and advisors, leading them to scheme a coup during Raja Mannar's absence. Overseeing Khansar's day-to-day affairs on behalf of her father is his daughter, Radha Rama (Sriya Reddy). However, the political coup had already started claiming lives. Amidst the turmoil, Radha Rama proposes a ceasefire, a move challenged by Varadha himself. As this situation could also turn fatal for Varadha, he calls his childhood best friend Deva for backup and to take on his enemies. Will Deva break the promise given to his mother and take up violence to save Varadha?

Here's the trailer of 'Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire':
Director Prashanth Neel's positive trait is world-building. With Khansar, he just transports you to a new world and keeps you involved with multiple storylines. The cinematography, colour tone, editing and music will remind you of 'KGF', but it has no connection with the Yash-starrer, as promised. 'Salaar' is about friendship and power struggle. And Prashanth has cleverly woven his screenplay by incorporating many sub-plots.

Though the story isn't something new, the 'Ugramm' director takes an interesting route to keep the story flowing. Prabhas is a man of few words in the film and has a past that he doesn't know. Throughout the film, he gets hyped by every single character, and he truly lives up to it. And we do not get bored with it! Prashanth Neel also knows how to create these theatrical moments. Be it the explosive (quite literally) interval block or the sequence where he bashes up goons to save the women in Khansar or the brilliantly choreographed climax action block - these moments get you on the edge of your seats.

Prabhas is invincible and there's literally no one who can lay a finger on him. Though he doesn't get much dialogue, his character has many layers. We get to see Deva's past and the clan that he belongs to and that sequence is sure to give you goosebumps. It is safe to say that 'Salaar' is his comeback film, the one he deserves. With his slow-motion walking shots, dialogue delivery and action sequences, he is back to what he does best.
Prithviraj Sukumaran, as Varadha, is caught in a political whirlwind and yet there's a whole new side to him, which makes it intriguing. He delivers a solid performance with his charm. Kudos to him and Prabhas for trash-talking during the climax fight scene, which adds a whole new colour. Shruti Haasan hardly makes an impact with less screen time. Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simhaa, Sriya Reddy, Easwari Rao and Tinnu Anand are adequate in their roles.

'Salaar' also has some shortcomings. It's mostly about Deva and Varadha and the other characters becoming pawns in the screenplay. Though the power struggle is shown impressively, it gets predictable in parts. Cinematographer Bhuvan Gowda's framed, crisp editing by Ujwal Kulkarni and thumping music by Ravi Basrur are a valuable addition to the world of 'Salaar'.

'Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire' is a mass masala action entertainer that celebrates Prabhas's stardom. Now, get ready for 'Salaar: Part 2 - Shouryanga Parvam'.

Like it or not, the macho heroism is here to stay, and who could be at the forefront other than Director Prashanth Neel to keep the wheels spinning?

The writer-director of the Kannada blockbuster KGF and its sequel returns with the new two-part action offering Salaar, starring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Titled Salaar: Part 1 -- Ceasefire, Neel ups the ante on all of the formulaic elements from KGF by instilling them with more ambition and technical dazzle that sustain his bonkers vision. The film revolves around the expansive mythology of Khansaar, a lawless land ruled by menacing crime lords.

It begins in 1985 introducing us the tale of two childhood friends, Deva (Prabhas) and Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran). Vardha's father (Jagapathi Babu) fought his way to the throne by knocking down two local rival tribes and is now the ruler of this violent city.
When he decides to make Vardha the successor of Khansaar, some jealous ministers team up with rival gangs to hatch a plot of killing his son in order to claim the throne.

Deva, who was living far away at his mother's (Easwari Rao) insistence, returns to Khansaar after 25 years to help his friend Vardha in the impending bloodshed.

As the story unfolds, this reunion leads to a shocking revelation that threatens to change the course of their friendship.

If KGF was about a mother's promise, here, this childhood friendship forms the emotional fulcrum of the story.

Prabhas lends his larger-than-life persona to enthralling action, bursting into solidly choreographed set pieces, killing relentlessly and perpetually smoking a cigarette while looking super cool in his endeavour of playing for the gallery.

Prithviraj is, by contrast, a tacit and focused man who utters only a few words but holds many secrets in his heart.

The play-off between the two stars is the high-octane fuel that lends Salaar momentum.

Ravi Basrur's edgy score, even though consistently loud, is a high point that greatly compliments the big screen impact of its bloody and brutal action sequences.

The lush cinematography evokes a dystopian atmosphere with a colour palette that's similar to hellscape shown in KGF. Once again full marks to Neel for his distinct visual style.

Less in not more, more is more in this audacious world envisioned by Neel that's very much admirable for its commitment and scale much like Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal.

The women, however, remain inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Shruti Hassan plays Aadhya, an NRI who gets entangled in this crime world because of estranged father's past. But there's little more to her character other than looking confused, trying to adjust to the mayhem surrounding her or turning doe-eyed whenever she's rescued by Prabhas.

From a pure narrative standpoint, Salaar does feel a little bloated to the test of a three-hour film.

This is especially apparent in some of the overtly dramatic moments that dominate the second half of the film.

Neel uses flashback technique to narrate the simple story in a slightly more interesting way.

However, due to over-saturation of characters, the drama gets a bit convoluted at times only to be rescued by next big action moment.

Thankfully, the action doesn't disappoint thanks to the stunning exhibition of visceral aesthetics and relentless pace. Both Prabhas and Prithiviraj juggle well between the film's high drama and adrenaline-filled chaos.

This is, of course, no way cinematic art.

But the film accomplishes most of what it sets out to do, such as creating the emotional hook of equation shared between its protagonists, the world building of Khansaar, and etching out various characters that form this grand puzzle of power and politics.

The latter half especially hits brings some satisfying twists and turns, leading up to a penultimate big reveal and a rousing closing shot that confidently launches into a potentially intriguing future with the 'Part Two'.


Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire can only be described with one word - EPIC. The film has everything that is necessary for a good drama, and on a much broader perspective can be compared to the Mahabharata. Prashanth Neel brings a new world to life, leaving fans wanting for more even at the end of three hours. 

Prashanth Neel’s Telugu debut is nothing short of a masterpiece, a visual spectacle. The film engages fans with brilliantly choreographed action sequences without losing track of the underlying story and drama. Prithviraj Sukumaran was right when he said that Salaar at its core is a drama. The drama definitely works out, and the filmmaker has hit it out of the park, with the help of his star-studded cast.

The story of Salaar revolves around Deva (Prabhas) aka Cutout, fondly called by children, who lives near a coal mine with his mother (Easwari Rao) in the remote village of Tinsukia in Assam. For the last seven years, the duo has been moving from place to place with Deva’s mother keeping a close eye on her son and shielding him from violence. Everything seems fine until Aadhya (Shruti Haasan), who is in danger from Obulamma (Jhansi), is brought to Deva and his mother by Billal for refuge.

Simultaneously, Raja Mannar (Jagapathi Babu) decides to make his son, Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran) his successor to Khansaar City. However, this decision triggers ministers and close relatives of Mannar. After which, we see some mind games, strategies and ultimately the chaotic situations to get the crown. The war raises several questions like the identity of Aadhya and her connection with Vardha. What was the reason for animosity between two best friends Vardha and Deva? The movie unfolds these answers with surprises and massy twists.

Director Prashanth Neel once again comes up with a riveting tale, which has all the elements of a commercial entertainer. Right from celebrating heroism to the ruggedness of characters, larger-than-life storytelling with layers of traits like betrayal, loyalty and leadership ultimately results in a compelling narrative. The editing is crisp and sharp with proper placements of emotional depth, which leaves the audience with a daunting experience. However, the film gives you dejavu of the KGF franchise due to its backdrop and rawness among villains. In some scenes, it will remind you of Baahubali because of Prabhas’ persona. The setting of sequences has Game Of Thrones vibe, which adds extra appeal to its narrative.
Talking about the performances, Prabhas is back and how! Finally, he did what his fans were craving for. He perfectly balances his character with raw action sequences and emotional nuances. With minimalistic dialogues, the actor makes his expressive eyes and actions do the talking and keeps you at the edge of your seat. Prithviraj Sukumaran as Vardha is simply outstanding. His intense act and camaraderie with Prabhas enhance the viewing experience. There is hardly any scope for Shruti Haasan in the movie. Maybe, we see more of her in the second part.

Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, John Vijay, and Sriya Reddy contribute to the complexities of layered storytelling. The VFX and SFX departments deserve brownie points for showing Khansaar City most believably and giving a visual appeal to the viewers.

On the whole, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is a massy comeback for Prabhas and a Christmas treat for his fans.

Salaar CeaseFire Telugu Trailer | Prabhas, Prashanth, Prithviraj, Shruthi, Vijay Kiragandur |Hombale

Popularly known as the Baahubali of Indian cinema, Prabhas is a prominent actor in Telugu cinema. He is the son of famous Telugu director and producer, Uppalapati Suryanarayan Raju. After making his debut with Eeshwar in 2002, Prabhas went on to become a global sensation after the release of Baahubali: The Beginning in 2015 & Baahubali 2: The Conclusion in 2017. His popular movies include Billa (2009), Mr. Perfect (2011), Chakram (2005), Barish: The Season of Love (2004), Rudran (2015)  & Jeene Nahin Doonga (2005).

Prabhas

Shruti Haasan is an Indian actress and playback singer who works predominantly in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi language films. Born in the Haasan family, she is the daughter of actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika Thakur

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Prithviraj Sukumaran is an actor, singer and filmmaker who majorly stars in Malayalam language movies. Also associated with Bollywood, Tamil films and Telugu cinema, Sukumaran made his acting debut in the year 2002 with the romantic-drama film Nandanam. He is widely appreciated for his work in films like Indian Rupee, Celluloid, Kaaviya Thalaivan and Anwar & has won prestigious awards like the Filmfare, SIIMA, IIFA Utsavam and the National Film Award.

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Easwari Rao is an actress who primarily appears in South Indian Cinema. She got her major break in the 1997 film Raman Abdullah and went on to do character roles in several Telugu ventures. Some of her best known films include Appu, Kaala and Brahmotsavam.

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An actor, writer and director Tinnu Anand is a well known face of Hindi cinema. Son of veteran writer Inder Raj Anand, Tinnu has directed movies like Kaalia (1981), Shahenshah (1988), Main Azaad Hoon (1989) and Major Saab (1998). As an actor, he has featured in popular movies like Chhupa Rustam (2001), Paisa Vasool (2004), Bluffmaster! (2005), Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007), Ghajini (2008), Dabangg (2010), Rabba Main Kya Karoon (2013) Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013) and Aisa Yeh Jahaan (2015).

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Madhu Guruswamy is an Indian film Actor, who has worked predominantly in Kannada movie industry. Madhu became famous through Shivanna's high voltage action movie Bhajarangi and he has worked in popular movies like Saakshyam, Mufti etc., Madhu currently playing pivotal role in Prashant Neel and Prabhas' Salaar.

Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023)(2023)