I am reluctant to write anything about Bahubali saga, as
there is plenty of information overload on every platform, possible. Bahubali
created a page for itself in the history of Indian Cinema, so I am creating a
page for invincible Bahubali on my blog.
Thanks to phenomenal success of “Eega-Telugu” (Makkhi-Hindi,
Naan Ee-Tamil, Eecha-Malayalam), the Beginning of Bahubali, which began as a high
budget Tollywood product of Rajamouli ended up as a national level
celluloid revenge drama connecting not only 4 Metros but whole nation unlike Golden
Quadrilateral network as envisaged by then Prime Minister by Atal Bihari
Vajpayee in 2001. This “#Make in India” (current PM Modi’s mantra) Beginning product
garnered Rajamouli The Padma award.
I guess, actor’s Job Description is changing these days, not
only enacting director’s vision on screen but helping product marketing &
distribution at times. Bhalladeva (Rana), the macho antagonist of Bahubali was
a real hero who connected Karan Johan, Dharma Productions and Arka media
producers of Bahubali to distribute it nationally. Rana did the same thing with
“The Ghazi” attack movie. I have numerous instances where new bees are
funding/pooling funds for their first ventures and established ones are
capitalizing contacts to access pan India reach, we will cover this topic
separately.
Awards & #WKKKB
The Part I though surprised national audience with the scale
& grandeur, featured on international arena across most film festivals and
ended up as the best Feature Film at 63rd National Film Awards, yet
ridiculed for lack of gripping content. Aslo, questions were raised why an unfinished
movie (we love half boil egg fry down south) was given award in the category of
whole feature film. However, it left the whole world with a never before asked Vikram
Betal question of #WKKB. And suddenly Kattappa, loyal servant of Mahishmati
kingdom became Indian obsession. At some point Kattappa almost killed Bahubali
II in real life with his 8 years old Pro Tamil Cauveri river comments.
Devasena
Now, “The Conclusion” is conclusive answer to all the short
comings of part I. It's mammoth and content is full of twists and turns where
you feel for characters of Mahishmati and Kuntala kingdoms. Anushka as Devasena
is riveting till she goes back to her Part I old draped sari days at the end. In
this shot when she was entering the Mahishmati along with Bahubali, after a
dream song sequence on the boat, the flag on top breaks when it hits the
massive stone carved elephant with water fall. So is it a hint that there is no
more scenes of Devasena’s Kuntala kingdom where she fell in love with Bahubali
in elaborated sequences of wild hunting, enemy attack and a proposing song on
Lord Krishna. I guess since the Bahubali brand has grown so big that no other GOD
than Krishna can represent Universally, thanks ISKON. In this song, even Lord
Krishna got cheated, who himself is known for mischievous acts. Each flower showered,
Harathi offered are bestowed upon Bahubali indirectly, God must have been so
angry here, that you get to see an enemy attack immediately after.
Ramya Krishna was a thunderous this time too in her glorious
Sivagami role. Sridevi missed an opportunity here, opting out for Puli (not so
successful Vijay’s Tamil Movie). She is adorable in her confrontations with
Devasena and her melancholy towards the acts of ruling the death of Amarendra
Bahubali are true visual treats (oops I have answered the #WKKB).
Bijjala, Bhallala, Avantika & Rest
Bijjala got meaner and Bhallala stronger and effective, who
was ridiculed for his stone faced expressions during his “Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum”
days. What a redemption. Bahubali couldn’t have
been this bigger without mighty Bhallala. His act of fondling the iron chain (with
which Devasena was tied during part I) and caressing the throne during enthronement
are noteworthy. Avantika appears in the penultimate scenes but nothing much
to do but to help & see Devasena to walk over face of fallen Bhallala statue, in the end.
Climax
Rajamouli choreographed the whole sequence very dramatically
with a big fire on the back drop so that rest everything is shadowed including
faceless attackers, #we are not interested in anything else other than why
& who killed Bahubali. So, you see the shadows of Kattappa, Bahubali and a
stab in the back. No close up shots except the one where Amarendra pulls sword
and rests his arm before his soul is rested forever and making way for the movie to storm box office with ever before seen worldwide collections by any
Indian Movie….1,000 crores still counting!
The next big question after #WKKB is what next Rajamouli???....
Bahubali #3 or Chhatrapati Shivaji or Mahabharat or a small
scale product to lower the expectations???
