Bāhubali: The Beginning Review - Epic Indian Fantasy

The narrative unfolds in two timelines, though the film’s heart belongs to the present. A young woman places a baby in a river, entrusting him to the current. That child, Shivudu (Prabhas), grows into a strapping, curious young man in a remote village, blessed with supernatural strength and an insatiable thirst for adventure. His life changes when he scales a massive waterfall and encounters Avanthika (Tamannaah Bhatia), a fierce warrior princess on a mission. She reveals that her queen, Devasena (Anushka Shetty), has been imprisoned for 25 years by the tyrannical Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati). Shivudu, smitten and stirred, vows to help rescue her. Along the way, he unravels a buried truth: he is not merely a foundling, but the heir to a kingdom, the son of the legendary Amarendra Bāhubali. The film ends on a cliffhanger, setting the stage for its sequel.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Bāhubali is not subtle. It wears its melodrama like armor, and its heroes speak in declamatory tones that would feel absurd in a smaller film. But Rajamouli understands that his canvas demands bold strokes. This is a film about gods and monsters, honor and betrayal-and it plays by those rules with astonishing conviction.

From the opening shot-a child’s hand clinging to a shield floating down a river- the visual storytelling is masterful. The production design by Sabu Cyril is staggering: the ornate palaces of Mahishmati, the lush greenery of the forest kingdom, the towering waterfall that becomes a character in itself. K. K. Senthil Kumar’s cinematography captures every frame with a painterly eye, especially in the action sequences. The war scenes, in particular, are choreographed with a rhythmic ferocity that rivals any Hollywood blockbuster.

Prabhas delivers a dual performance that anchors the film. As young Shivudu, he’s exuberant and physically comedic, using his bulk for playful feats. As the flashback-bound Amarendra Bāhubali, he swaps that energy for a regal gravitas. His chemistry with Anushka Shetty’s Devasena crackles-she is not just a love interest but a warrior in her own right, and their courtship is one of the film’s most engaging arcs. Rana Daggubati’s Bhallaladeva is a villain you love to hate: cold, calculating, yet pitiful in his jealousy. Ramya Krishnan, as the fierce queen mother Sivagami, steals every scene she’s in with a single glare.

The music by M. M. Keeravani is a character in itself. “Pachcha Bottesina” is an exuberant love song, “Manohari” a playful duel of desire, and the background score swells with tribal percussion and orchestral grandeur. The climactic sequence-where Shivudu wields a giant lingam-is as audacious as it sounds, yet Rajamouli sells it with such sincere conviction that you don’t laugh; you cheer.

That said, the film has flaws. The first act, while energetic, feels padded. The romance between Shivudu and Avanthika is rushed-her character exists mainly as a plot catalyst. And the film’s logic occasionally bends. A villain’s plan involves a 25-year prison hold that seems bafflingly inefficient. But these are quibbles against a tidal wave of ambition.

Pros

• Jaw-dropping visual effects and production design that still hold up brilliantly
• Prabhas’s star-making dual performance-charismatic, physical, and emotionally grounded
• Rana Daggubati’s menacing turn as Bhallaladeva
• M. M. Keeravani’s unforgettable soundtrack and score
• Rajamouli’s direction-paced like a comic book yet deeply heartfelt
• Ramya Krishnan and Anushka Shetty’s powerful female roles

Cons

• Overlong first act with some sluggish pacing
• Avanthika’s character is underwritten, serving mostly as motivation
• Some plot devices (e.g., the 25-year captivity) feel contrived
• Cliffhanger ending may frustrate first-time viewers
• Melodramatic dialogue can veer into camp for unaccustomed audiences

Bāhubali: The Beginning is not a perfect film. But it is a necessary one-a declaration that Indian storytelling can be as grand, as technically ambitious, and as emotionally sweeping as any in the world. It’s a film that understands the power of myth and the joy of seeing a hero rise. For those who haven’t yet visited Mahishmati, this is your invitation. For those returning, it remains a journey worth taking. A staggering 8.5/10.