The wait for the second instalment of the epic fantasy drama had driven the fans of the first part crazy. So has the movie been able to live up to the hype?
Yes, director S S Rajamouli has ensured that Bahubali 2 is bigger, grander, meatier and more explosive than its predecessor.
Although the run time of three hours plus is a tad on the longer side as the director takes time to build up the character of the righteous Amarendra Bahubali (Prabhas) and his lover - the capable Devasena (Anushka Shetty). However, the well-designed film manages to ensure that your attention doesn’t waver.
Prabhas is able to bring out subtle differences between the two characters he plays. As Amarendra Bahubali (the father) he is the forever battle-ready warrior but when he plays the son he ensures you see the subtle difference in their fighting styles.
The actor is brilliant as he portrays vulnerability and toughness with amazing ease and lends credibility to the character. He gets able support from Anushka Shetty as Devasena. The film revolves around the two of them and their performances are the film’s highlights.
Rana Daggubatti, who plays the villain Bhalladeva, is not your typical all brawn-no brain warrior. He uses his brains to ensure that he gets the crown of the great Mahismati kingdom.
Both men have trained hard to fit their characters and it shows.
Avanthika’s fans will be disappointed as her total on-screen time is 60 seconds.
Ramya Krishnan who plays Sivagami Devi, the queen mother, has excelled herself. It’s a performance of a lifetime especially in the scenes where she spars with the strong-willed Devasena. The tension between the two leading women forms a key part of the plot.
Sathya Raj and Nasser have done a commendable job.
The graphics are of international standards and five minutes into the movie the story pulls you in so much that you forget that the grandeur shown on screen is just ‘green screen’ magic.
The cinematography is beautiful and the fight sequences are unlike anything you have ever seen in Indian cinema. However, the war sequence of the first film had more to offer as the conflict was between three characters – Prabhas, Rana and the enemy as well.
Perhaps, the fact that Mahendra Bahubali was not a well-trained warrior is to be blamed for the lacklustre head-on battle between two main characters.
The question ‘Why Kattapa Killed Bahubali’ or #WKKB has been trending on social media for days. And while the question has been answered satisfactorily, the movie has a couple more twists which are intensely satisfying.
This movie gives you all that you want from it and more.
The humongous sets, the vast landscapes, the well-choreographed fight sequences are some of the reasons why Bahubali 2 is made for IMAX-viewing.
The Hindi version of Bahubali can be enjoyed at the Novo IMAX theatre at (Thurs - Sun) 4:35PM, 8:00PM, 11:30PM and (Fri-Wed) 10:00AM, 4:05PM, 10:05PM