Here's why Prabhas' Salaar teaser leaves us disappointed

The most-awaited teaser of Salaar starring Telugu superstar Prabhas in the lead role was released in the wee hours of Thursday. The strange choice of releasing the teaser at 5:12 AM sparked intriguing fan theories and speculation, amplifying curiosity about the movie. Devoted fans demonstrated their support by waking up before sunrise to catch a glimpse of what director Prashanth Neel has been meticulously crafting over the past year.

But, did the teaser live up to its colossal hype? The teaser was edited with the sole intention of giving the audience a glimpse into the grand scale and vast scope of this mega-production. Prashanth Neel has doubled down on darker colour palettes, incorporating additional black and coal dust to enhance the effect. The production design evokes memories of the industrial landscape depicted in the KGF series. The visual similarities have led many to believe that Prashanth is building his own cinematic universe, with KGF and Salaar representing a continuation of the same saga that revolves around the relentless power struggle for control over the Kolar gold mines.

Also Read: 4 latest OTT releases this week on Prime Video, SoneyLIV, Disney+Hotstar you must not miss

The teaser begins with Prashanth's trademark narrative style, with a wise old man, portrayed by Tinu Anand, building anticipation for the hero's introduction. The old man is surrounded by a formidable army of strong men wielding military-grade rifles. However, he remains unafraid as he is still under the protection of Salaar. "Lion, cheetah, tiger, elephant - very dangerous. But, not in Jurassic Park, because there is a...," states the old man, sending shivers down the spines of adversaries. Against the backdrop of this dialogue, glimpses of an epic battle unfold, featuring sword-wielding henchmen and the might of the Indian army, indicating Prashanth's unleashed imagination.

But, still, the teaser falls short of our expectations. Prashanth could have been more generous with the footage, offering a deeper insight into Prabhas' character, instead of relying on adulation alone. Take, for example, the teaser of KGF: Chapter 2, which skillfully presented a strong narrative flow, and emotional moments, while drawing the battle lines between Rocky and Adheera. The KGF 2 teaser revolved around the central emotion of the film, beginning and ending with the promise Rocky made to his mother. While it didn't reveal too much, it provided enough information to sustain interest in the film until its theatrical release a year later. In contrast, the Salaar teaser feels somewhat disappointing due to the absence of narrative depth.

Salaar, also starring Prithviraj and Shruthi Haasan, will hit the big screens on September 28.