A Testament To Modern Mythology: Netflix’s ‘Salaar’ Reviewed
by Tito W. James
Indian action films are known for taking an American film like Top Gun and doing that premise on steroids. Because of the bombastic nature of Indian action movies, it’s easy to watch most of the films ironically. However, every so often a film comes out that doesn’t feel like a collage of other action movies but an elevation of the genre that film makers around the world will aspire to — that film is Salaar.
The movie is a lengthy epic — the first part remains relatively grounded before kicking into high gear for the second half. Salaar is like watching a Jason Bourne film that slowly morphs into Game of Thrones. The slow burn of the world-building only adds to the splendor of entering the hidden walled city of Khansaar. The blend between ancient cultures and high tech militaries is unlike anything I’ve ever seen on film.
Many films have explored the one-man-army archetype but lead character Deva just might beat them all. He dual wields blades with the finesse of Miyamoto Musashi and the bloody brutality of Jason Voorhees. The anachronistic and layered storytelling add intrigue and unpredictability to the overall narrative. Salaar is a genre redefining epic, a testament to modern mythology, and a bold statement for the future of action cinema.
