Why Salaar and Arcane Season 1 Are Basically the Same Show (But with Guns and Gore)
Here is the reason's why when I watched Salaar Varadha and Deva's relationship felt way similar to VI and Caitlyn's relationship:
Okay, hear me out: Salaar (the Indian action flick) and Arcane (the animated Netflix show) are, like, eerily similar in so many ways, and no one is talking about it. I’m not saying one is copying the other, but there are some serious parallels between the two that are too obvious to ignore.
1. The Central Anti-Hero With a Dark Past
Both Salaar and Arcane center around incredibly complex, morally gray protagonists. Deva (played by Prabhas) is a ruthless, nearly unstoppable force with a violent past, just like Vi in Arcane who carries the weight of her own tragic backstory. Both characters are deeply torn between their brutal past and a desire to change or protect the ones within their family, they care about. Not to mention both are from their version of the undercity.
On the other hand Varadha is extremly similar to Caitlyn in terms of being born into wealth, prestige and having the weight of carrying their family name. Not to mention both struggle to make a name for themselves as leaders.
2. Family Dynamics Gone Wrong
In both Salaar and Arcane, the theme of family is at the core of the story. Whether it’s Deva’s broken ties with his mom or Vi’s complicated relationship with her sister Jinx , both shows explore how trauma shapes the characters' decisions. Arcane takes this to a deep, emotional level, while Salaar has that intense, action-packed revenge element.
3. The Urban Underworld as a Battleground
Both stories take place in gritty, urban settings where crime, violence, and corruption rule. Arcane does this with Piltover and Zaun – two cities that contrast the wealthy elite and the oppressed underworld. Salaar has a similar vibe, portraying Khansaar as a criminal underworld full of betrayals, power struggles, and bloodshed. It's all about survival, loyalty, and the price of power.
4. Stylized, Cinematic Action with Emotional Weight
Both of these series blend epic action with emotional depth. Salaar brings the high-octane violence (hello, that brutal fight choreography), while Arcane balances stunning animation with heartfelt moments between characters. But somehow, both of them make sure that the action is never just mindless – there’s always a reason behind the punches and explosions, even if it’s revenge or loyalty.
5. Fighting for the Greater Good – But at What Cost?
Deva’s journey is all about protecting people in his own twisted way, while Vi is also fighting for a better future and wining back her sister, but neither path is easy. Both characters struggle with what they need to do to survive vs. what they want to do for the greater good. In the end, both shows highlight the cost of their decisions and how they’re forever changed by their choices.
Conclusion:
I’m not saying that Salaar is an Indian version of Arcane, but if you’ve watched both, you know exactly what I mean. It’s the mix of violence, complex characters, and emotional depth that gives them both that special something. So if you’re into gritty anti-heroes, action, and some heavy family drama, you might want to check both of these out.
In other words Deva and Varadha are honorary Lesbians.
