Prashanth Neel: I am making Salaar 2 to show why Varada and Deva became enemies

On December 21, Hombale Films celebrated 2 milestones. First, it was the 6thanniversary of the film that put them on the national map – KGF: Chapter 1, and second, it was one year since Salaar: Ceasefire, Prashanth Neel’s updated version of Ugramm came out. Given that Prashanth will present the rest of the Salaar saga in Shourangya Parva in due course of time, the production house got him to sit down for a quick chat about what to expect when the next instalment comes along.

Excerpts from Prashanth Neel's interview for Hombale Films about Salaar 1 and the future of Salaar 2

Varada and Deva becoming enemies is my best bit of writing

As innocent as the story is about the friendship between Varada (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and Deva (Prabhas), it is as innocent as that when they become enemies and that is the most intriguing part of what I have written. I don’t feel whole with Salaar because I have not told the second part. I wish I can get to it and tell that part because I am greedy to show that particular emotion. I think that is one of my best bits of writing when they have to separate and become enemies. There is this one moment that I am banking on to make Salaar what it is going to be.

The drama in Salaar 2 is not the same as that in Ugramm

Salaar 2 is about what happens in the time period between 2010 and 2017. Something happens in 2010, but the drama is not the same as what it was in Ugramm. The moment that Varada and Deva become enemies is the reason I am making Salaar 2. Not just because Salaar 1 was successful and I have to continue the franchise. That scene is what I want to tell on celluloid. Beyond that it is left to everyone’s imagination and I have to make sure that I surprise them.

Retelling Ugramm for an unfulfilled desire to fill theatres

I am not completely happy yet; in fact, I am a little disappointed with how much effort I put into the first part; I don’t know if subconsciously I was a bit complacent coming off KGF: Chapter 2. But ever since then, I decided to make Salaar 2 into one of my best movies. The writing that I have put into Slaaar 2 is probably one of my best works.