In a recent development following the release of Prashanth Neel’s Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, the film has garnered positive reviews within hours of its debut. While fans are lauding Prabhas for his intense performance and action sequences, another noteworthy presence in the movie is Prithviraj, who portrays the antagonist in the narrative centered around the transformation of two friends into foes.
In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Prashanth Neel shared insights into his casting decision, emphasizing that Prithviraj was his sole consideration for the role of Vardharaja Mannaar. Neel expressed his fortune in securing Prithviraj for the part, stating, “He was the first and the last choice I had for that role. I was very lucky that he accepted to do something like this. We approached him, and he was kind enough to agree.”
Neel further attributed the success of KGF as a pivotal factor that facilitated his access to Prithviraj. Reflecting on this, he remarked, “That’s what success gives you, it gives you an opportunity to have an audience with some of the best actors in the country, and I got that opportunity thanks to KGF.”
In a separate interview, Prithviraj revealed that he was offered the role in Salaar while KGF 2 was in production. Despite his immediate agreement, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic presented challenges as he found himself stranded in Jordan with a film crew, maintaining a specific look for the project. This led to a difficult conversation with the director, but Prabhas and Neel collaborated to adjust schedules and accommodate Prithviraj’s commitment to the film.