Baahubali - Movie Review

Film: Baahubali
Cast: Prabhas, Rana, Anushka, Tamannah, Ramayakrishna, Satyaraj, Nasser
Music:  M M Keeravani
Produced by: Shobu and Prasad
Screenplay and directed by: S S Rajamouli
Release date: July 10, 2015

S S Rajmouli’s Baahubali is one film that has been in news for a longtime. It is a film that caught the fancy of movie goers worldwide. Now the film is here amidst much adulation and fanfare. Firstly in one word the film is simply outstanding. The movie is classic example of the power of the imagination. A visual spectacle!

Be it visuals, sets or acting, the film scores high.  Every scene that unfolds is rich in visuals. The lengthy action scene towards the end of the film is simply the best. S S Rajamouli has weaved visual magic with his Baahubali.

It’s a technically brilliant film. The storyline of the film is mix of several stories heard/read in our childhood, but that doesn’t deter the ma of the film. Since the film is split into two parts, the first one ends with a nice hook to the second part which will release next year.

Baahubali is the story of king Bhallala Deva (Rana) who rules the kingdom of Mahismati unjustly taking the reins from his elder brother Amarendra Baahubali (Prabhas) after killing him and enchaining his wife Devasena (Anushka) as prisoner. Baahubali’s son is taken away by Sivagami (Ramya Krishna) to keep him safe from the evil Bhallala Deva. That baby is raised by some tribal folk and the boy grows up to be Sivudu. He falls in love with Avanthika, a warrior belonging to the gang that vows to free Devasena from Bhallaladeva. What happens next forms the rest of the drama.

The story is a simple one, with similarities with the bible story of the Exodus. Also we have seen this storyline in the old Telugu film Marmayogi. Rajamouli’s father Vijayendra Prasad has scripted this film. S S Rajamouli has visualized this film and recreated all in his mind with grand sets, great VFX and big budget.

Prabhas is perfect for the role. He has given an awe inspiring performance. You are reminded of a Greek god when you see his presence on the screen. Rana looks majestic. He is perfect in the role of the evil king. Ramyakrishna has given her career’s best performance. Two roles make lasting impression in the movie one is Ramya Krishna’s Sivagami and Sathyaraj’s Kattappa. Both the actors have excelled in their roles.

Tamannah is beautiful and her role is not properly developed or it seems like that way in this first part. Anushka has limited scenes and her real story may unfold in the second part. She makes impression in couple of scenes here, though. Nasser reminds one of Shakuni and he does deliver well.

Senthil’s cinematography does require special mention. As said earlier the movie is a visual feast. Senthil’s imaginative camerawork is major asset to the movie.  It’s his finest work till date. Sabu Cyril’s art work is simply outstanding. His grand sets and production design has elevated the movie on to another level. Srinivas Mohan’s visual effects are on par with the best of Hollywood’s talent. His work in the Dhivara song is absolutely great. All this is perfect with M M Keeravani’s music. Songs and backgroundscore just enthrall.

With this film Rajamouli has come into the top league of directors in the world. He has mastered the art of visuals, VFX and action episodes. Had the storyline been something novel, this film would have become an epic film in the history of Indian cinema. Nevertheless, Baahubali is a visual spectacle that leaves you spellbound with its total entertaining moments, great mastery of vfx.

Bottom-line: A visual spectacle. A must watch movie.