Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is an epic action-drama film, released in 2023 and became one of the most talked about films of Indian cinema. Directed by Prashanth Neel and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner of Hombale Films, the film stars Prabhas in the lead role. Along with him, the strong star cast of actors like Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha and Sriya Reddy makes the film even more impressive. The story of the film takes place in the fictional kingdom ‘Khansar’, where monarchy still prevails. The film is an epic tale of friendship, politics, betrayal and power struggle between two friends – Dev (Prabhas) and Varadha (Prithviraj). This technically rich film has a perfect blend of brilliant cinematography, strong action sequences and impressive background music. The film’s grandeur, visual effects and emotional depth make it a memorable experience. Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is not just an action film but a visual masterpiece that keeps the audience glued to the screen and takes Prabhas’ stardom to a whole new level.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire |
| Director | Prashanth Neel |
| Producer | Vijay Kiragandur |
| Writer | Prashanth Neel |
| Dialogue Writers | Sandeep Reddy Bandla, Hanumaan Choudary, Dr. Suri |
| Based On | Ugramm (2014), also by Prashanth Neel |
| Production Company | Hombale Films |
| Cinematography | Bhuvan Gowda |
| Editor | Ujwal Kulkarni |
| Music Composer | Ravi Basrur |
| Language | Telugu |
| Country | India |
| Genre | Epic Action Drama |
| Lead Cast | Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha |
| Budget | ₹270 crore |
| Box Office | ₹618.06–700 crore |
| Runtime | 175 minutes |
| Release Date | 22 December 2023 |
| Filming Locations | Telangana, Italy, Budapest |
| Sequel Planned | Yes (Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam) |
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire Story
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire is set in the fictional kingdom of Khansaar, which still has a monarchy. The story revolves around the bond between two friends – Dev (Prabhas) and Vardha (Prithviraj Sukumaran). Dev is a descendant of the powerful but exiled Shauryanga royal family of Khansaar, while Vardha is the son of the current king, Raja Mannar.
In 1985, Vardha saves Dev and his mother from the mob and leaves Khansaar. Dev promises to return whenever Vardha calls him. Several years later, Vardha needs Dev to fight her enemies and the conspiracies of the royal court. Dev, who is now living a quiet life, returns to fulfill his old promise.
Dev returns to Khansaar to help Vardha, but soon learns that his real father Dhara Raisar was killed by Raja Mannar and his entire clan was massacred. Dev’s birthright was to the throne of Khansar. Vardha declares Dev as the “Salar” – the supreme leader of the army.
The story revolves around politics, betrayal, friendship and the struggle for power. As the war approaches, Dev and Vardha’s relationship is put to the test.
The film is a powerful, emotional and action-packed saga that sets the stage for the second part (Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam).
Trailer
Review
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, directed by Prashanth Neel, is a historical action thriller that is made to be watched in theatres. Although the film does not reach the heights of the KGF series, its story is still interesting and keeps the audience hooked. Prabhas displays tremendous action and strong screen presence in his role, while Prithviraj Sukumaran gives an impressive performance as Varadaraja Mannar. Particularly noteworthy is that Prithviraj dubbed in all five languages in his own voice, which shows his pan-Indian appeal.
The direction of the film reflects Prashanth Neel’s KGF style—heavy sets, slow motion action and grandeur. Although it feels repetitive at some places, the film still manages to keep the audience engaged. He also presents the supporting characters well in the frame and the set design is amazing.
The cinematographer of the film, Bhuvan Gowda, has presented the story impressively through camera movement and visuals. The editing is done by Ujjwal Kulkarni, who has handled the transitions and audio-sync well.
While Prabhas’s grip was strong in action, his expressions were limited in emotional scenes. A talented actor like Prithviraj Sukumaran could not be fully utilized. Co-stars like Shruti Haasan, John Vijay, Ramachandra Raju and Bobby Simha contributed good acting even in their limited presence. Especially actors like Bobby Simha and Sriya Reddy left a better impression in the second half.
Although the film is almost three hours long, its strong action and background score make it worth watching in the theater. However, some viewers may be bothered by its slow pace, excessive slow-mo and unnecessary subplots. Especially the first half of the film seems slow and somewhat boring, but the second half picks up the pace rapidly and shows the background of Khansar city and the depth of the characters in detail.
The twist given in the climax may be predictable in advance, but its impact is deep. There are cliffhangers in many parts of the film, which would probably be challenging to answer in a single sequel.
Conclusion
Salaar is a visually stunning and action packed film that makes for a grand experience when watched in theatres. Though the story has some repetition, slow pace and unnecessary drama, the performances of Prabhas and Prithviraj, the cinematography and the background score make it special. The second half of the film is more interesting and impressive than the first. The climax is thrilling and many questions are left unanswered, increasing the curiosity for the sequel. Overall, this film is worth watching once in the theatre, especially for action lovers.