Disclaimer - Before all the Prabhas's die hard fans start bitching about me, I want you to know that I felt Saaho was a complete shit. As a fan, I never expected Prabhas would chose to do something like Saaho after choosing scripts like Mirchi, Darling, Mr. Perfect and Baahubali. So if you are too much a fan to not agree and not open to critics, please do not read further.

The two films follow a similar genre, Treasure Hunt. So I felt I could make a  comparison.

It is my small attempt to promote one of the best films that has come up, and to encourage new talents.

So, let's begin.

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Protagonist

SAAHO
Prabhas as Ashok Chakravarty, in the beginning, is actually a cunning theif, who manipulates his post with the real police.
His character has bee written with the audience POV, as in, how most of his fans like to see him, drinking, smoking, doing unwanted fights with local goons, acting like a jerk in front of the female lead, etc. There is no power or a strong essence to the character of Siddhant Nandan Saaho. At the beginning, he seems to be a flirty cop, then, a cunning theif, and then, out of nowhere, a gentleman who thinks about his people. Such drastic change in character seems almost unrealistic. The shades of all these traits could have been portrayed right from the beginning to be more relatable.

ASN
Narayana, a police officer of Amaravati, is a person who puts himself before the public, and thinks of how can he benefit from the arisen situation. His character has been maintained the same. In each and every scene, Narayana’s perspective always amuses the audience, wondering how can one be so intelligent and selfish. He does help people, but only when he can gain something from it. He sometimes manipulates the situation, to earn name and fame, but almost all the time, ends up in a confusion and gets stuck. This is something which is actually entertaining. You go with the flow of his character, expecting what is his next move. And you’ll be left in amusement, as well as a fit of giggles at the end.

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The narration

SAAHO
The story line is definitely a good one. But the makers have badly failed in narrating it to the audience. Use of too many characters, most of whose existence in the plot, I didn’t even understand, addition of too many twists in an attempt to amuse the audience etc. Too much is too bad. If the makers had planned only required number of twists, and more of the actual plot, Saaho could have been more appealing.
There has been a random placement of scenes at some points, where I felt, I lost the connect to the story. Leave alone the audience, even the characters themselves were confused, of what is happening.

ASN
It is very evident that the makers have given utmost importance to the narration of the story. There are very appropriate characters, and all have memorable roles in the film. It is as if the film won’t be complete if even one single character is missing. There has been a tight narration through out, which will keep you engaged through the entire film. The scenes are very appropriately placed, giving us an idea of what exactly is happening. In order to understand the film, you need to keep track of each scene, and trust me, it is not at all difficult, as you eventually get involved right from the beginning.

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The love track

SAAHO
Okay, I personally don’t even wish to speak about this. The love plot is very very weak in the story. Neither is it love at first sight, nor a gradual development. It is just… random. There is absolutely no connection we feel through out. Sometimes it is shown as Saaho playing with Amrita’s feelings, and sometime later, vice versa. I don’t even remember the point where the female lead actually falls in love… or she doesn’t? I don’t even know…

ASN
You don’t get to see cheesy romance between the two leads, Narayana and Lakshmi. It starts of as a little fight, where Lakshmi is pissed of by the behaviour of the irresponsible police. Yes, it is always the relationship between an intellectual, responsible journalist and an easy going, careless cop till the end. Of course, there is very very gradual development of romance in both of them, which springs only at the end, when we, as audiences ourselves will feel that love for Narayana.

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The female lead

SAAHO
Needless to say, there is absolutely no need for the character of Amrita in Saaho. The film could have run without her as well. I do understand that many commercial films have less roles for heroines, but because Prabhas himself had promised the audience about a real good role for her, I had huge expectations. Amrita is shown to be a cop, who is always given less preference by her supervisor, and is sad for the same. But she is even a person, who has been given a mission of capturing the theif, just doesn’t care, drinks, dances and collapses in a bar. Come on! Why would any supervisor give good preference to such an irresponsible cop!? She has family issues, trust issues, but still falls in love with prabhas, gets to know he is a thief, feels cheated, and again falls in love while trying to trap him. Like seriously!?

ASN
Shanvi plays a journalist, who has her own intentions, principles and motives. She has a very pivotal role in the film, and you will definitely find her character really relatable. She is clear of when to do what, and takes responsibilities only when necessary. Overall, you will find her extremely cute and connect to her character in the movie.

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Songs

SAAHO
The makers of Saaho were almost ready to release the film, when they realised something. They had completely forgotten about the songs! Now, how can there be a movie with a Bollywood starcast but no songs? So they quickly got 4 songs composed, with shitty lyrics and mediocre music. Ohh, the leads are hugging each other out of nowhere! Let’s add a love song. Ohh! The heroine is in party dress! Let’s add that bar song. We’ll fit two more songs somewhere. Don’t worry. It’ll work!
This is how it seems they worked out on the music. Hats off team saaho! 😒

ASN
There are four songs in the film, of which two are very addictive and you feel like grooving to. The other two are mainly composed for the situation, where the story is taken forward musically. Each song has been very cleanly composed and placed and never will you feel that cut from the film when the song appears.

Overall, all I want to share is, there are some really talented people struggling to come up. I do know, as prabhas is a big star now, his movies can just become a hit because of his stardom. And I'm in no way degrading it. He has respectfully earned that position. Now, as audience, we do need to look into these films, where there is sincere dedication and hardwork.

I had to point out these drawbacks of Saaho as a general audience and NOT as a pranushka fan. Why am I saying this..? Here's why.

This is one of that dumb crazy fan of prabhas who claims we did not like Saaho as Sweety wasn't casted in it. Saaho was shit, and people gave their opinions. (so much so that even the main lead, plastic faced shraddha kapoor was ashamed to take its name) Dragging Anushka's name was absolutely unnecessary. Infact, I thanked god that she wasn't in the film, as she deserved a lot better.

Sadly, many have gone crazy and stooped to the lowest extents to prove Saaho is a good film. Opinions differ. So lets learn to accept and be open to it.
At last, I wish prabhas never choses something like this in the future.

Thanks.