Sagar Tetali
"Salaar: Part I - Ceasefire" envisions a world of warring tribes and power struggles with a Game-of-Thrones vibe, featuring a horror-film palette in black, brown, and red.
The film grapples with conflicting goals, balancing character depth and hero worship, resulting in an intriguing yet frustrating clash between world-building and mass-pandering.
Director Prashant Neel showcases his mass filmmaking skills, incorporating trademark "elevations" effectively, offering a layered alchemy despite familiar elements from his previous works.
Prabhas' mass appeal is well-handled, blending laidback goofball charm with heroic moments; however, fight sequences are overshadowed by frequent "elevations," impacting the overall impact.
Prithviraj Sukumaran delivers a standout performance as Vardharaja Mannar, offering depth in the second half's world and political exploration, though expositional chunks and underdeveloped supporting characters are notable flaws.
As the film progresses, the tension between mass appeal and fantasy/sci-fi epic becomes evident, leading to a somewhat disjointed world-building experience despite aesthetic admiration and technical prowess.