Suma Mandalapu

Dear Baahubali, Sahore!

Brace yourself! Extremely long review of Baahubali – 2 is coming!

Quick Index:

My thoughts on the project

I waited for this particular movie for more or less four years (hardcore Prabhas-Anushka shipper, plus I love them both individually), so now that I finally watched it enough times, I can talk about it at leisure.

For me the core of a movie is usually the story. So, when I first heard that SS Rajamouli (hereafter SSR) started this project and that it would be a historical, I was intrigued. When I saw the making videos four years back, I was super excited. Then in 2015, the first part released, I caught it on the second day. It’s a little less than three hours but time literally flew by, there were awesome scenes one after the other and the end left everyone who watched hooked. I watched all the interviews, read any and all related articles I could get hold of and discussed the story countless times with friends. Since, my main motivation was the story, I wondered how exciting the story and characters must be that an ace director would spend so much time and energy on this project (and take everyone else forward with him). On hindsight, I think this stupendous victory of the franchise, is a result of that leap into the unknown by the producers, director and the lead actor (along with the rest of the cast). Faith and belief give amazing results when invested in the right people for the right cause. However grand a vision maybe, it is difficult to stay motivated for a prolonged period of time. That is why perseverance is held in such high esteem. Thank you, Team Baahubali for perserving so well and giving us this gem of a movie franchise.

Now, back to the story.

[SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!]

Story/Screenplay Analysis

A story is in its most basic form how the lead characters interact with one another. So, the story is defined by character motivations. Usually in formulaic movies (particularly in the Telugu Film Industry), there’s a lead actor, a sidekick, a romantic interest who comes with a bag of troubles usually associated with the villain; comedy, action, tragedy (usually in flashback form) ensue in varying proportion and finally the hero stands vanquished. Seen from that perspective, Baahubali sort of fits the formula. Sort of. The beauty of this story is the characters, all of them are sketched out minutely, and all of them stand resolutely behind what they believe in. It’s easy to be invested in characters when you know what they are and what they can do.

It’s not an easy matter to stand on what you believe in, it comes with a cost. For Sivagami, her blinded sense of justice estranges her from her favorite son. For, Bhalla, his insecurity and envy keeps him from forming any real bonding and drives him insane. The costs even if unrealized are high!

SSR adheres to two cardinal principles of storytelling masterfully – 1. Show don’t tell and 2. Make your heroes go through hell

For instance, he had to show that Baahubali is a very strong man, like a one-man army, who is resourceful and innovative. And so, he makes this neat juxtaposition of scenes – Sivagami ired by Devasena’s haughty reply orders an army to be sent to capture her. Bijjaladeva dissuades her and gets her to make Baahubail do the task. Cut to the army of Pindaris raiding Kuntala and Baahu ingeniously saving them. The visual definition of a one-man army doesn’t get better than this.

And every character (even Bhalla) goes through hell in one form or the other. I’ll have to list most of the movie scenes to elucidate this (which I’ll skip here and discuss later). That saying, every scene in this movie deserves to be seen, re-seen, thought about and analysed. Because there’s so much matter embedded! Such minute details! It’s a writer’s delight. Every arc is carefully etched out and neatly closed.

The opening scene is about this ritual (done once every 26 years) to appease the Gods for drought. Sivagami walks with embers on her head and her stride must not be broken. And then, Baahu comes does his bit and lights up the idol of the demon. Lo and behold, it’s 26 years after now and Sivudu does the same thing for his mother only the demon this time is the actual tyrant king. The beginning and ending scenes have the same motif. Drought is a metaphor for the era of Bhalla.

Also, during the end fight sequence the priest on Bhalla’s side tells Bijjaladeva that Devasena’s stride must be broken, otherwise all her endeavours will be successful. Since, Sivagami did the same ritual successfully, maybe that’s why all her intentions (even if some were misguided) succeeded – like giving the throne to Bhalla, getting Kattapa to kill Baahu, saving baby Mahendra even though she’s badly injured.

Amarendra Baahubali – the one true king

Amarendra Baahubali – what can I say. He’s broken the stereotype that bad guys get the girls. He has all the qualities of Lord Rama but mind you, he’s still as playful as Lord Krishna. It’s a delightful combination. I mean, he’s all game for beautiful woman (Manohari anyone? Poor Bhalla is never after women and doesn’t even get the one woman he wished for). Amarendra falls for Devasena much like how his son falls for Avantika (they seem to have a thing for warrior women). I love the entire Kuntala episode, it’s light-hearted, fun and shows how great Kattapa is as a wingman. XD

Amarendra thinks independently. There’s a scene where,

Kattapa tells Baahubali, “I have a good news and a bad news.”

Baahubali replies, “tell me both, I’ll decide whether they are good or bad.”

In another scene, he’s inspiring Kumara Varma to become a true warrior. Like they say, leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. All his dialogues are amazing one-liners.

The interval scene establishes Baahu as the true king. The contrast between the brothers is beautifully captured. The way I see it, authority makes people bow (in fear and respect) as in the case of Bhalla’s coronation (very precisely executed, I watched DoP Senthil’s interview where he said they watched military parades world over for inspiration). Love (filled with admiration and affection) inspires people to rise their heads in pride. That’s the reception Amarendra deserves and receives — drumbeats fill the air, the elephants rise (similar to the interval scene of BB1), the soldiers clap with their weapons, people are ecstatic, the special forces of Kattapa (who earlier bowed before the king), now stand in pride offering their blood to Amarendra’s oath.  That’s how allegiance is paid. Goosebumps only! The resonance of all this makes the umbrella over Bhallala’s throne fall, which Amarendra firmly plants down. (Chatrapati?) Poor poor Bhalla! You can feel his teeth grind, blood boil and nerves break.

[There are scenes where people bow down to Baahubali too (like in Kuntala) but that’s after they learn he’s the next king.  ((I like that Devasena just stands, she’s the same irrespective. You go girl!)) The same happens to Sivudu in BB1. So, this bowing-down business seems to be a gesture reserved for the king. {Mahismati is a hierarchical society, the king being the highest (and hence the throne atops the pyramid in the logo). }]

One of Mahismati’s constitutional principles seem to be “guilty until proven innocent”. Devasena is super outraged by this (and rightfully so). Baahu is definitely is pro-Rights (for the innocent) and believes in speedy justice and precedent (the beheading of Dandanayaka [Sivudu does the same with Bhadra in BB1, no wonder Devasena got so excited then. The way she looks with that mad glint showing vindication is pretty similar to the one in BB2]). Baahu has a reformer streak. Had he been the king, he would have reformed the system and made Mahismati more egalitarian and maybe, gender equal.

After getting banished for the above act, Baahu gently helps Devasena down the stairs. It’s such a small action but there’s some much warmth there. It’s these minute details that make him so great. Swoon, swoon, swoon!

He loves his kingdom and the people, no doubt. But he loves his mother more. That doesn’t stop him from doing what is right. It does cost him emotionally; he’s alienated from his mother and doesn’t know how to fix it. So much so that the only thing he thinks about while dying is his mother.

That’s the only bone I have to pick with him. Dude, I understand you love your mom. But you are dying and your wife is in labour. If the king has ordered to kill you, does it not strike you (you who are such an amazing strategist) that he would target your family as well? What about them? How can you leave them without a word? Where is your duty and love towards them? :/ >_< (Maybe, the relationship he shares with his wife, doesn’t require farewells and goodbyes. But still.)

[Prabhas portrayed Amarendra particularly superbly. The body language is restrained and royal. In all scenes except when he plays the dumb guy, you can see that. Even when he’s banished he looks and acts like a king, even when he’s dying he looks regal. That’s something.]

Devasena’s Vow

Devasena’s character is a revelation. She shows initiative, strength and a willingness to improve. She’s discerning and doesn’t hesitate to stand up for what’s right. I absolutely love that she doesn’t cower or back down anywhere in the movie. Her relationship with Sivagami starts on a bad footing and keeps getting worse. Sivagami can’t seem to understand how such a big and powerful empire doesn’t instill any sense of awe or submission in Devasena. It’s precisely because Mahismati is so big that Devasena becomes even more defensive and reactive and doesn’t stop speaking truth to power. Kudos Devasena! That is no mean feat.

I kept wondering (after BB1) how great a short-lived love must be (her time with Baahu couldn’t be more than 1.5 years) that she would give up her entire life to his cause. Turns out, it has less to do with love and more to do with how Devasena is as a person. Their love for each other is pretty great but there’s so much more between them than love. They deeply respect and honour one another. She comes with Baahu to Mahismati only when she’s satisfied that he would ensure her honour. Moreover, she’s filled with boundless righteous anger (which can be easily provoked). That way she’s a nice pairing to the calm and thoughtful Amarendra. I think honor has a big role in why Devasena willingly chooses to stay imprisoned. She thinks the rightful vengeance for Bhallala and for Mahismati to regain its glory, is through her son, who physically embodies what Baahubali stood for. Mahismati doesn’t really belong to her, it belongs to her son, so the vengeance, which she yearns for, every breathing moment of her life, must come through him and not her. So she waits.

{Mahismati is inherently patriarchal even with strong female characters like Sivagami and Devasena. While being powerful on their own right, they never question the system. Sivagami doesn’t become the queen herself but only acts as a regent. She explicitly tells the court (which was receptive to the idea of her taking the throne) that it is not “her place”. This of course, fits within the larger narrative of the story. Sivagami must have felt it was wiser to be a regent since she has no legal claim to the throne (it belongs to the royal blood). It was necessary that Devasena be imprisoned, otherwise her son may not have gone to war with his uncle for the greater good. (That’s how the war in Ramayana was waged. The Gods needed some reason to vanquish Ravana ((who was becoming powerful and more powerful, conquering places left and right)) and the abduction of Sita gave them that cause. Sita, being an incarnate of a goddess could have freed herself but she waits for Lord Rama as it’s the “rightful” thing to do. The fight had to be between Rama and Ravana, she merely facilitated the process).}

Bhallala Deva – the tyrant king

Ever since Bhalla was a kid, he wanted the throne. He thought his brother was the obstacle to it. But in the process, he becomes so devoted to the cause, he doesn’t realise the cause itself changed from wanting the throne to killing Baahubali. This is fueled by years of insecurity, envy, rage, inner malice (is malice inheritable? He must have inherited it from his father, who had his share of all of the above) and disregard for morality/humanity (matricide, fratricide, genocide?). Bhalla is not conflicted anywhere, he knows he’s evil. He openly admits it. Yet he goes through hell (he keeps wanting to kill Baahu and even after 25 years, that desire haunts him). He has everything he wanted, yet he can’t seem to enjoy it. This is telling.

The kingdom, the throne, the 180 feet gold statue — nothing seem to satisfy him. He keeps trying one thing after the other (like fighting an enraged bull in BB1), hoping that something will make it better. When he finds that Devasena escaped, he picks up the iron chains and lustfully rubs them on his face. The only happiness he ever had, he then realises, was from chaining and torturing Devasena.

He is profoundly obsessive about her. They do share a bond albeit twisted and filled with hatred. (They keep glaring at each other whenever they can). He is, in general, a guarded person who doesn’t let his emotions show (maybe that’s why he was able to fool Sivagami in BB2). But with Devasena, he can share his deepest evil thoughts and desires. That excites him and probably even liberates him in a weird way. But it doesn’t help his sanity, which he progressively loses. In end sequence, even while he’s being devoured by flames, he still beckons Devasena to join him.

He’s absolutely psychotic about Baahu, the one guy who consumes him. The interval scene in BB1 where Baahu’s gold statue enormously overshadows his is part of his hallucinations. At the end of BB2, he sees Baahu’s image in the darkened clouds. His outbursts while repeatedly stabbing the lifeless Baahu and while trying to rip apart Sivudu’s heart show that deeply embedded psychosis. There’s no peace for this guy.

[Kudos to Rana for the brilliant portrayal.]

The Fall of Sivagami

Sivagami ma’am, with all due respect, you screwed up big time. It starts with appeasement of Bhalla, why do you need to appease him? Baahubali’s claim to the throne was fair and square. Bhalla didn’t sacrifice the throne for his brother, he lost it to him. Primogeniture doesn’t seem to be the rule for inheriting the throne, so why the hell does Bhalla need appeasement??

I think this is the time you realise, you have showed favoritism to Baahu and somehow unconsciously neglected Bhalla while rising them. To make up for it, you blindly say yes to anything he asks. Plus you are arrogant of your mighty kingdom. (you hated it once, remember? Refer: The Rise of Sivagami). The moment Baahu takes Devasena’s side, you lost it. (I can understand this since you had monopoly on him till then).  You start seeing this black and white, the great love you had for him turns into greater resentment and under the garb of law, you punish him for abandoning you. (he never abandoned you, he just took the side of dharma, the justice YOU taught him.)

When Bhalla strips Baahu of his post as the Senapathi, you don’t say a word. You watch mutedly as his pregnant wife is dragged to the court. You take it with great horror that Devasena berates the constitution that does this. (guilty until proven innocent? what kind of law is this?). [I find it funny that Dandanayaka complains like a schoolboy. He’s the Senapathi and just lost his fingers to a pregnant woman. No wonder Devasena is so outrageously disappointed with the kingdom.]

Horror of horrors, you actually give orders to assassinate Baahu. At least, you are conflicted for a moment but then calculate that a public hearing would lead to civil war and political instability. (Again, jumping to conclusion that Baahu is guilty of treason. Somebody please change that effing law!) [I think part of the reason why Kattapa agrees to kill Baahu is that if Sivagami were to do it, it would be such a blow to Baahu, who holds his mother in such high esteem.]

You do redeem yourself by saving Mahendra. Sigh, if only you got to your senses sooner.

Kattapa’s loyalty

Kattapa, Kattapa!

I loved the beginning scene where Bijjaladeva raves about you being a dog and his desire to kill Sivagami. You, of course, throw the punch line. “I am a dog, aren’t I? I can sniff it out.”

Why didn’t you sniff out the devious plan being hatched right under your nose?  :/

What an agonising life to lead, going against the people you care about the most (Baahubali wasn’t the first) and yet you do it. It doesn’t occur to you that you can decide not to be a slave to the throne (Bhalla keeps getting amazed at this loyalty). Words once given even by distant ancestors needed to be adhered to. It’s admirably noble and incredibly stupid. You have robbed yourself the right to choice.  I wish there was some change and end to this slave business but if the order of killing Baahubali doesn’t change your code, nothing ever will. It’s interesting that while adhering to a strict moral code yourself, you think it’s alright to serve a master who doesn’t. Had Sivagami not declared Mahendra as the king, you would still have taken Bhalla’s side. Tch tch. If anybody needed to change, it would be you.

Maybe the books would through more light about you. It’s still unclear how you shifted to Sivagami from being Bijjaladeva’s slave.

Why the people don’t revolt (on their own)

I know what Karl Marx would have said to Devasena (literally) and to the people of Mahismati (metaphorically).  You have nothing to lose but your chains; you have a world to win.

But why don’t they?

Fear is a great motivator; some might even say a greater motivator than love. Most people are by nature, loss-averse. In general that would mean, one would tend to minimise one’s losses, rather maximise one’s gains. In Mahismati, the king holds considerable sway, his powerful sena can easily crush any attempted rebellion, which by nature due to lack of proper strategy and arms would be weak. In such a situation. it’s better not to start a rebellion and risk losing one’s life. Also, historically, India didn’t see many rebellions before the British arrived. Coups were common but the people never revolted against the king. In that way, people were quite tolerant. Since the king embodied divine sanction, his legitimacy was never questioned. (except by his own brothers or military generals)

It is only when Mahendra comes along that things change. A leader turns risk-averse people into risk-taking individuals. He gives them hope of victory, a vision for a better future and a strategy to make that come true. Amarendra by all means is a better leader because he strategies, uses available resources and takes calculated risks. Mahendra on the other hand, often makes reckless decisions. In the end sequence, after an initial loss, he just tries to bulldoze his way into the kingdom like a mad elephant. But Kattapa halts him and asks him to think like his illustrious father, which is when he starts using the palm trees in an incredible way to get past the palace walls.

Scenes I wish were included :

  1. Devasena sitting down after she sets Bhalla on fire and watching him burn and slowly turn into ashes. This is her life’s ambition, she would definitely watch him till nothing of him remained with her characteristic vindictive glint in her eyes. (Recall her fiery dialogue from Part 1)
  2. More of Bhallala and his evil angst.
  3. It would be nice to see some human aspect to the otherwise impeccable Amarendra. Like Devasena liked his dumb version before she fell for the real him. So, maybe when they are alone together, he play-acts as the dumb self because Devasena secretly likes that side of him more? The dumb version and her did have some good times in Kuntala. And Mahismati definitely isn’t such a happy place.
  4. Amarendra being palpably excited about his soon-to-be child. He’s excited about the baby but I wish he talked about or interacted with the unborn baby more, like telling Devasena what all he and Kattapa will teach him or her. Or just plainly talking to the womb, telling the unborn baby about dharma and his mom, Sivagami. (cheesy much?)
  5. I was waiting for Sudheep’s character Aslaam Khan to pop up so much! Alas.
  6. A during-credits scene where Devasena is raptly listening to Sanga talk about Sivudu, filling in the 25 years she missed out.

Final thoughts

I love the background score so much (why don’t you guys release it?) and all the songs from both the movies, particularly, the title tracks song (of BB2) and the end sequence song when Bhalla’s statue-head falls down the waterfalls. (Oka Pranam is a gift to Telugu language). The art director and the VFX people have collaborated so well to make the sets so real. Mahismati looks like the grand kingdom it’s supposed to be. Kuntala exudes Brindavanam feel with it’s marble edifices. The ironic thing is it’s only when the background doesn’t call attention to itself that the work has excelled. This frees you to be engrossed in the story. The scenes just get etched in your memory. {there are places where the VFX are a bit off but it’s no biggie given the rest}

The wonderful thing about this franchise is that, once you watch the second part, you actually relish the first part more. (now that you have the backstory). This could have been made into a trilogy with the third part showing how Sivudu gets back Mahismati (with Kattapa’s guidance and Aslaam Khan’s help), it’s pretty rushed in BB2. What I really want is a GoT level TV series. BB definitely has the story, scale and scope. I’m glad that it’s panning out in other media. In any case,

Thank you again, Team Baahubali! What a pleasure it was to watch these movies!

PS: Phew! That was long! If you read till the end, thank you. I think I covered most of what I wanted to say. I think.