Rajamouli’s grandiose ambition meets his incredible imagination in ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ to sweep you into glorious ride for most part of 3 hours, that is grippingly fascinating, and as unrelenting as it is mesmerizing.
The sequel to the 2015; “Baahubali: The Beginning’ that shattered records all over India is actually a prequel and reveals what India has been losing sleep for nearly 2 years; Why Kattappa killed Bahhubali. The secret is no big deal, is entirely predictable, as is the plot of two royal cousins pitted against each other for the throne and legacy. But it is Rajamouli’s determination to keep you glued to the seat that has this ordinary tale turned into an extraordinary spectacle, especially in the rollicking first half.
A machine that breaks stones, another that fetches water from the depths, a palm tree catapult that hauls soldiers wrapped in their shields across over the enemy lines, a ship that flies, horses of snowy clouds that accompany it, a telescope that shows enemy approaching…there is seemingly no end to what Rajamouli’s imagination can come up with. Yet it is in capturing the heroism and larger than life image (of a dazzling Prabhas) as Baahubali that Rajamouli truly excels. Prabhas is luminous as Baahubali senior and towers over the story like a larger than life behemoth.
This is without doubt a visual marvel, with several sequences that are truly spellbinding. The coronation scene with its grand military pageant has been cleverly enhanced using a synchronized salute by the forces for the new King. The way Kattappa and Baahubali save the kingdom of Kundala raajyam from marauding invaders is an astonishingly well-choreographed action sequence, literally breath-taking.
The second half, though scales back the action and resorts to drama to keep things moving. Here’s where Rajamouli falters a bit as some bits of the plot are clearly unconvincing. The regal and resplendent Raja Mata Shivagami (played again by a brilliant Ramya Krishna) is a victim to this frailty in the plot as she comes across compromised, swayed as she is by rumour and second hand information. Devesena (Baahubali’s love interest, played by a lovely Anushka Shetty) the fiery feminist and as the owner of her own mind provides some compensation.
There are a few things that are problematic. There is surprisingly some humour, though not surprisingly it promptly falls flat on its face. The romance is unconvincing, despite Rajamouli lavishing time and effort to it. The battle sequences are several notches below Baahubali 1 and the music is just adequate, not doing anything to enhance the tale. The graphics are always not great, but considering what has been spent, it is still very, very good.
Without doubt, Rajamouli has raised the bar for other film makers and has put India firmly on the global pecking order for making technically great, quality entertainment.
Baahubali 2 is a rousing spectacle, unlike anything you have seen on Indian screens so far and is worth every penny that you shell out. Go, make your matinee for Amar Chithra Kadha has come to glorious life!