Now where do I start? Everything that can be said about Bahubali has already been said in as many ways over the past couple of years. But having watched the epic Bahubali 2: The Conclusion I cannot stop myself from trying to find newer ways to describe the experience, again. In these days when even a sandwich is called “awesome”, we run out of adjectives pretty fast, so when a movie like Bahubali 2 comes around we have to search for new adjectives. This movie is TERRIFIC – in the truest sense of the word. As I mentioned in my review of the first part, this is a trailblazer for Indian movies.

First of all, this is NOT a review. Or at least this is not a standard review. Everyone knows the story and almost everyone can expect what happens next in the movie. But the way it is handled is what makes this movie stand heads and shoulders about anything we have seen in Indian movies, so far. Breathtaking visuals, grandeur in almost every single frame, the sheer majesty of everything going around makes this a visual feat. It’s like Mr. Rajamouli has taken Bahubali: The Beginning and then upgraded them to a different plane. Having said that, there is an element of unnaturality in the war scenes, which I think could have been avoided. It would have made the movie age well in the long run.

What makes the movie terrific is the unapologetic nature in which it deals with matter of faith and Dharma. A warrior is reminded multiple times of Kshatriya Dharma, a cowherd is reminded of his Dharma towards his country, and even a king is reminded of his dharma. There is a scene in which Bahubali says that given a choice between his duty towards his mother or dharma – he will choose dharma. It cannot get more direct than this. And the icing on the cake is Kambala and Jallikattu taking place in the movie. If this is a mere coincidence or by design is anybody’s guess. Even the background score doesn’t spare any effort in reminding us that Rudra is not just the destroyer but also The Creator and Sustainer. The movie starts with Ganapati Aaradhana and ends with Abhisheka to Shiva.

The thing I liked the most in Bahubali [combining both the movies] is the depth in characterization of the main actors.  Except for maybe Amarendra Bahubali and Bhallaladeva, there is hardly anyone who is either black or white. Everyone has some shade of gray. And the influence of Mahabharata, Chanakya and erstwhile kingdoms of yore is clearly visible. Many movies, especially in the south, have drawn inspiration from Mahabharata, Ramayana et al by taking the stories and reimagining them in modern context. But I think this is after very many years that a fictional period movie was made using the same technique. That and, the brilliantly visualized idyllic setting of medieval villages, towns, forts, temples, their lives, travels, foods, games etc. may probably be the template that will be reused many a time from now on.

Whether a movie will have any kind of impact is something that takes time to unravel. For instance, a Mayabazaar resulted in many historical and historical-fiction movies. A Shankarabharanam opened up a whole gamut of classical arts based movies. The impact of Shiva is still being felt in one way or another. The influence of Bahubali is already being felt in Indian – and particularly Telugu – movies. The sway of Bahubali was felt in another historical movie based on the first (technically) Telugu empire Gautamiputra Satakarani. A mega budget Mahabharata is being talked about. Along with it, I think we will see more influx of movies based on the past 1000 years of Indian history. From King Harsha to Raja Bhoja to Gurjara Pratiharas to Reddy kings to Cholas, Pandavas, to Rashtrakutas to Lachit borphukan and Asom Kingdom to Vijayanagara to Kalinga to Shivaji and the Maharatta Empire.. we have a fabulously bejeweled history to choose from. History which had taught our ancestors to recover, reevaluate and, survive multiple brutal invasions. At this current juncture, it may be worth the effort to relearn the actual lessons from this history and pass it onto the next generations.

Long after the movie is no longer playing in the theaters, and long after it gets its awards and rewards, people will remember and talk about it. Somewhere, there are kids who will watch this over and over again, and decide to become directors and story tellers. And that is the true legacy of Bahubali. For that we will have to thank Sri Srisaila Sri Rajamouli and the entire team of Bahubali.