Telugu Cinema’s New Wave After the Pandemic
After the pandemic, Telugu cinema experienced a fascinating revival through film re-releases. Many classics returned to theatres, bringing nostalgia to fans. Some struggled to connect again, but others struck gold at the box office.
Among these, SS Rajamouli joined the trend in his own way. Instead of simply bringing back Baahubali: The Beginning and The Conclusion, he merged both into one grand saga — “Baahubali: The Epic.”
A Seamless Four-Hour Spectacle
The film, which premiered globally last night, runs close to four hours. Yet it never feels stretched. Rajamouli rebuilt and rearranged key sequences, making the narrative flow like one continuous epic.
Rather than repeating old glory, he reshaped the story with smoother transitions and emotional rhythm. As a result, the experience feels both familiar and surprisingly fresh.
Why Audiences Still Call Rajamouli “Jakkanna”
Rajamouli earned the nickname Jakkanna for his dedication to detail. He never treats the audience casually, even when he knows they adore his work.
Right from the opening frame, his precision stands out. The title card is brand new, featuring symbolic imagery that celebrates the Baahubali universe. Through this, Rajamouli reminds viewers: “You may know the story, but you’ve never seen it this way.”
That level of craftsmanship once again proves why people call him a perfectionist.
A Tighter and More Emotional Beginning
The film opens differently now. Rajamouli starts with Sivagami (Ramya Krishna) escaping from a hidden cave while carrying an infant. Her flight through soldiers and the river still delivers the same impact, but it comes without the old kingdom prologue.
Next, Shivudu’s (Prabhas) childhood scenes appear in a new order. He lifts the Siva Lingam first, finds the wooden mask later, and finally asks, “What’s up there, maa?” This change builds a stronger sense of destiny.
As the “Dheevara” song begins, the momentum continues smoothly. The earlier conversation involving Tanikella Bharani has been removed, giving the sequence cleaner focus.
Avantika’s Arc Reimagined
Rajamouli transforms Avantika’s (Tamannaah) storyline completely. Instead of showing her full mission, he narrates her backstory through a short voiceover — in his own voice.
This creative shift cuts down nearly 30 minutes yet preserves the emotion of Baahubali meeting Avantika. Romantic scenes and the “Paccha Bottesina” song are gone, but their essence remains intact.
Even the Aslam Khan (Kichcha Sudeep) subplot disappears, keeping the pace sharp and purposeful.
Mahishmathi Reborn
The story now reaches Mahishmathi much faster. Rajamouli reduces Bhallaladeva’s cruelty scenes but focuses on the people’s awe and their recognition of Baahubali’s return.
The golden idol sequence feels grander despite being shorter. Devasena’s (Anushka Shetty) rescue still delivers goosebumps, and Kattappa’s (Sathyaraj) loyalty remains the film’s emotional core.
The legendary Kalakeya war sequence runs briskly, trimmed only where needed. Every strike still lands with intensity, and the audience never senses a loss of scale.
At the interval point, Rajamouli adds a playful title card:
“You don’t need to wait two years to know why Kattappa killed Baahubali.”
The crowd erupted in laughter and applause.
The Heart of The Conclusion
The second half opens with a condensed version of Baahubali: The Conclusion. The grand festival and “Saahore Baahubali” sequence appear shorter, but transitions are smoother.
Sivagami’s search for a bride for Amarendra Baahubali now moves faster. Devasena’s introduction and the Kuntala battle stay intact but flow with tighter rhythm.
Comic moments with Kattappa and Kumara Varma (Subbaraju) have been trimmed. Still, the wild boar hunting scene remains, adding rustic charm before the story turns emotional.
Emotions Drive the Story Forward
From the Kuntala rescue to Amarendra’s tragic end, Rajamouli keeps every key emotion alive. He trims dialogues but strengthens the visual drama.
Sivagami’s guilt, Devasena’s defiance, and Mahendra Baahubali’s rise now feel more powerful. The final battle between Baahubali and Bhallaladeva carries the same energy but moves with better pace.
Instead of traditional end credits, Rajamouli closes with a heartfelt thank-you note, honouring everyone who built the Baahubali universe.
What Changed and What Stayed
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Removed: Avantika’s long arc, side jokes, a few war prep scenes, and extra songs.
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Retained: Emotional high points, grandeur, and the central relationships that define the saga.
By removing excess, Rajamouli gives the story new focus and momentum.
A Surprise Reveal – Baahubali: The Eternal War
Just when fans thought the film had ended, a teaser lit up the screen — Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1, an animated feature coming in 2027.
Directed by Ishan Shukla and presented by Rajamouli, the teaser explores Baahubali’s journey beyond death.
Sivagami’s voice opens the teaser, describing Amarendra’s spiritual destiny. Then, visuals explode into a cosmic war between Indra and Baahubali.
When Indra challenges him, Baahubali replies with fire in his voice:
“I am asking the same, Indra. Who will now save you from Baahubali?”
Prabhas’s voice electrifies the moment, and fans in theatres went wild.
Rajamouli’s Original Dream Fulfilled
Baahubali: The Epic feels like the version Rajamouli always wanted to create. Years ago, a four-hour runtime was unthinkable. Today, audiences embrace it eagerly.
Thanks to improved technology and cinematic patience, his original vision finally breathes freely. The visuals look sharper, and the remastered sound adds fresh impact. Every frame reminds viewers why Mahishmathi became iconic.
Final Verdict
Baahubali: The Epic isn’t a remix — it’s a rebirth.
Rajamouli reconstructs his saga with precision, passion, and pure love for cinema.
He once again proves why he’s still called Jakkanna — the filmmaker who never remakes; he recreates.
⭐ Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
🎬 Verdict: A grand, seamless epic that redefines cinematic storytelling once again.
