Director: Prashanth Neel
Starring: Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, Tinnu Anand, Easwari Rao, Sriya Reddy, Ramachandra Raju
Rating – 4 
 
Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire marks yet another triumph for director Prashanth Neel, who has already delivered two groundbreaking hits with the KGF series. This time, he revisits the essence of his debut film, Ugramm, giving it a glitzy upgrade with an ensemble cast and a vastly improved storytelling approach.
 
The narrative revolves around childhood friends Deva and Varada, forced to part ways under mysterious circumstances. Years later, when Aadya, the daughter of a US-based businessman, faces a life-threatening situation in India, Deva re-enters her life. The film unfolds with questions about Deva's past and the lengths he'll go to protect Aadya.
 
Prashanth Neel, known for his love for 1970s Hindi cinema, weaves a tale with a dysfunctional childhood as its emotional foundation. The film begins in the 1980s, taking a three-decade leap and traversing various parts of the country. The storytelling is leisurely, allowing the viewer to absorb tension and relish character development.
 
Prabhas, intentionally given minimal dialogue, delivers a 'stand and deliver' performance that is both captivating and refreshing. The film undergoes a drastic tone change in the latter hour, introducing a fabulous backstory dating back to the 1700s, revealing the origins of the fictitious region of Khansaar. This unique setting allows Neel to create a world with its own set of rules.
 
The film boasts a stellar lineup of actors, with Prithviraj handling dialogues skillfully and Prabhas delivering a restrained yet powerful performance. The action sequences, though gory at times, feature slick choreography and an effortless visual style. The camaraderie between Prabhas and Prithviraj adds a playful touch to intense sequences, creating several whistle-worthy moments.
 
Salaar showcases Prashanth Neel's evolution as a director, capitalizing on his strengths in portraying power dynamics within an empire. The film culminates with a terrific final punch, incorporating a delicious twist that sets the stage for the second installment. Ravi Basrur's background score adds depth to crucial junctures, and the uncluttered narration sustains the film's mood.
 
While Shruti Haasan and Sriya Reddy make commendable contributions, it's the supporting cast, including Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, and others, that enhances the film's impact. Salaar is a superb action vehicle that combines style, old-fashioned drama, and powerhouse performances, making it Prashanth Neel's best film to date. For Prabhas fans, Salaar is a reason to hold their heads high, and for cinema enthusiasts, it's a taste of well-made, familiar comfort food. Safe to say, Salaar is a cinematic triumph that sets new standards in the action genre.