Saaho
Director: Sujeeth
Cast: Prabhas, Shdraddha Kapoor, Neil Nithin Mukesh, Lal, Arun Vijay, Mandira Bedi
Cinematography: R. Madhi
Editor: A. Sreekar Prasad
BGM: Ghibran
Language: Telugu, Tamil, Hindi
The second most expensive film made in India after Rajnikanth's '2.0', Saaho seems to have it's focus on a grand spectacle.
Saaho begins in a place named 'Waaji' lorded by criminals. The 'Roy Group' headed by Roy (Jackie Shroff) is murdered leaving behind a Rs 2 lakh-crore bounty.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, a bunch of cops are to investigate a robbery case linked to Roy. An undercover cop is assigned to pick his team for the probe.
An undercover criminal is also on a mission.
The undercover cop's colleague is Amritha Nair (Shraddha Kapoor) and so cupid has a role to play.
But soon she realizes that all is not fair in this affair and a series of twists unfurl.
What works
Saaho created a massive hype and frenzy which no other Indian films have managed so far. And it does live up to the hype.
The film is high on style and swagger right from the time we are introduced to Prabhas with five-biriyani whistles -- you would come to know what it is when you watch Saaho -- to the climax scene in which he thrashes the muscular rogues.
The last shot needs a special mention as Prabhas finds his 'perfect seat' with ease.
Prabhas does not overdo it and ensures his best even for the 'Bad Boy' song.
Sabu Cyril, who built the huge kingdom in Baahubali, has marvellously created the fictional city of Waaji.
Huge towers, helicopters, giant trucks, swanky cars and flying squads of Saaho can match Hollywood.
The filmmakers have not bothered much about crashing 28 cars and five trucks.
The stylish clothing adds to the aura of the stars.
Apart from being an out-and-out action thriller, Sahoo also has a romantic subplot. The songs of the movie have been captured in a commendable way.
What doesn't
Shraddha Kapoor plays a Malayali but that is not what didn't work. Rather, it's the offensive background score ‘Thithithara Thithithai’ which is played every time Prabhas looks at her that seems odd.
Her character has been scripted poorly. She has a sloppy past and is seen to be forced to fall in love with Prabhas.
It does not end there. There are too many characters – Lal, Chunkey Pandey, Mahesh Manjrekar, Murali Sharma, Vennela Kishore, Neil Nithin Mukesh, Mandira Bedi and the talented Arun Vijay, who are just asked to deliver few lines and leave.
The extensive duration is another drag. The editor could have made it crispy and engaging. Though the songs might sound cool, the wrong placement was indeed problematic, making it a tiring watch.
The Bottomline
Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor are inside a posh hotel room and that's when a group of men attack them.
Asks Shraddha, “Who are these?” to which Prabhas replies, “My fans.” Sharddha asks again, “Why are they so frustrated to kill you?” and Prabhas says, “My die-hard fans”.
There are many scenes which might remind Prabhas' blockbuster Baahubali though it is not of the same genre.
But Saaho has been definitely made for the fans of Prabhas.
