Salaar’s second single Prathikadalo explores Prabhas’ dark, mysterious past in the action drama

Salaar (Part 1: Ceasefire), the first installment of the two-part action drama franchise, is gearing up for a global release across five languages—Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam—on December 22. Prashanth Neel, the man behind the KGF series and Ugramm, helms the film, starring Prabhas, Shruti Haasan, Prithviraj Sukumaran and others in key roles.

Also read: Salaar release trailer - A bloody impressive glimpse with an in-form Prabhas 

After unveiling the first single, Sooreede, which focused on the friendship between Prabhas and Prithviraj, the makers launched the second song, Prathikadalo, today. Ravi Basrur scores the music for the film. As many as 34 child artists have crooned the number lyricised by Krishna Kanth. The song unfolds in a school, where Eeswari Rao asks children to narrate a story exploring Prabhas’ dark past.

"Prathi Gaathalo Raakshasude Himsalu Pedathaadu..Anachagane Pudathadu Raaje Okadu…Shatruvune Kadadherche Panilo Mana Raju," the opening lines of the song indicate that the monster within Prabhas has been silenced now. The number is expected to be a musical response from Eeswari Rao in the film, when Shruti questions her about Prabhas’ origins and his life beyond a mechanic.

In the past, the song suggests that the protagonist had turned into a beast while vanquishing the wrongdoers and how it’s important to accept him with his dark past. Move on, forget redemption, don’t resort to violence, be streetsmart and make your place in the world, one of the stanzas says, hinting at a promise that Prabhas makes to his mother.

Thanks to the children, the innocence in the rendition and the essence of the lyrics come through sincerely. Sapthagiri makes his presence felt, cast as a peon in the school. With every promo and song, Prashanth Neel is only making it obvious that Salaar is indeed a reimagined version of his debut Ugramm on a lavish canvas. The six-month wait to watch Prabhas on the big screen ends tomorrow.

Also read: Salaar CeaseFire trailer - Prabhas headlines a chilling action drama centred on two friends 

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