Prashanth Neel clarifies 'Salaar's creative vision amid speculations: "Not a remake of Ugramm or KGF's style"

The anticipation surrounding Prashanth Neel's Salaar has been met with a wave of speculation, particularly concerning its alleged resemblance to the director's 2014 Kannada blockbuster, Ugramm. Initially dismissed as mere rumors by the filmmakers, producer Vijay Kiragandur refuted claims of a Ugramm remake in a recent statement to Bollywood Hungama, asserting Neel's ability to craft distinct narratives.

However, the confusion deepened when Prashanth Neel, in a recent interview with Cinema Express, seemingly contradicted earlier statements. While maintaining that Salaar is not a remake, he candidly acknowledged it as an adaptation of Ugramm, shedding light on his intent to offer justice to a story that faced piracy shortly after its original release. Neel revealed, "I always envisioned the audience watching Ugramm in a packed theatre; it wasn't fulfilled during its release. Despite KGF’s success, I couldn’t move forward without doing justice to that story."

In a bid to clarify Salaar's creative essence, Prashanth Neel explained that the film is a fusion of Ugramm's narrative with the filmmaking style that propelled KGF to monumental success. Neel insisted that Salaar should not be perceived as a remake, emphasizing the tailored adjustments made to suit the distinctive personas of lead actors Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. "Some might criticize that it's a mix of Ugramm’s story and KGF’s style of making, but I will take it as a compliment as both are my films," he stated, highlighting the amalgamation of his creative prowess.

Salaar, set to release on December 22 in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, boasts a stellar cast featuring Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Shruti Haasan in pivotal roles. The film promises a unique cinematic experience, blending the essence of Ugramm with the filmmaking finesse that defined KGF.