Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, a 2017 Indian epic action film, was directed by S. S. Rajamouli and co-written with V. Vijayendra Prasad. Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni produced the film under the Arka Media Works banner. It was created in Tollywood, the hub of Telugu language films in India, and shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. The cast includes Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishna, Sathyaraj, Nassar, and Subbaraju. Serving as both a sequel and a prequel to Baahubali: The Beginning, the film is set in medieval India and revolves around the rivalry between Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, with the latter plotting against and eventually killing the former with Kattappa’s assistance. Many years later, Amarendra’s son seeks revenge for his father’s death.

With an estimated budget of ₹250 crore ($37 million), Baahubali 2 was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its production. The filming commenced on 17 December 2015 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. K. K. Senthil Kumar handled the cinematography, while Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao edited the film. Sabu Cyril was responsible for the production design, and Peter Hein choreographed the action sequences. The visual effects were crafted by R. C. Kamalakannan, with assistance from Adel Adili and Pete Draper. M. M. Keeravani composed the film’s soundtrack and background music. Baahubali 2 was released on 28 April 2017 in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam versions, and it was later dubbed in Japanese, Russian, and Chinese. The film premiered in conventional 2D and IMAX formats, becoming the first Telugu film to release in 4K High Definition.

With a worldwide grossing of ₹1,737.68 crores to ₹1,810.60 crore ($280.7 million), the film achieved remarkable success, briefly surpassing PK (2014) to become the highest-grossing Indian film of all time. In just six days after its release, it collected approximately ₹789 crores worldwide, setting a record. Within ten days, it became the first Indian film to cross the ₹1,000 crore mark. The film also achieved significant milestones in India, becoming the highest-grossing film in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil. It currently holds the title of the highest-grossing film in India and is the second highest-grossing Indian film worldwide. Baahubali 2 sold over 100 million tickets during its box office run, marking the highest estimated admissions for any film in India since Sholay (1975).

Baahubali 2, much like its predecessor, garnered widespread acclaim across the nation and beyond for its exceptional direction by Rajamouli, compelling story, stunning cinematography, profound themes, impressive visual effects, captivating music, exhilarating action sequences, remarkable performances, and emotional depth. It received praise not only from audiences but also from fellow actors in the film industry. Alongside its predecessor and Rajamouli’s other works, Baahubali 2 is considered one of the greatest Indian epic action films. It earned the Saturn Award for Best International Film and three National Film Awards in the categories of Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Best Special Effects, and Best Stunt Choreographer.

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Kattappa continues narrating the circumstances that compelled him to assassinate Amarendra Bahubali. After defeating the Kalakeyas, Amarendra is proclaimed the rightful heir to the throne, while Bhallaladeva is designated as the future commander-in-chief of the kingdom. Rajmata Sivagami Devi sends Amarendra on a disguised tour with Kattappa to acquire political knowledge. During their journey, Amarendra witnesses the bravery of Princess Devasena of Kuntala when she fights off a group of attackers. He falls in love with her and approaches her after the battle, pretending to be a commoner, with Kattappa acting as his uncle. Amarendra is accepted as a guard in the royal palace of Kuntala, while Bhallaladeva, unaware of Amarendra’s feelings, lusts after Devasena upon seeing her portrait. Bhallaladeva manipulates Shivagami into promising him marriage with Devasena, unaware that Amarendra has already fallen for her. Shivagami sends a marriage proposal to Kuntala, but the emissary portrays it disrespectfully, angering Devasena. She harshly rejects the proposal, prompting Shivagami to order Amarendra to bring Devasena to Mahishmati as a captive.

In Kuntala, an attack by Pindari dacoits on the royal palace reveals the bravery of Amarendra and Kattappa, who successfully repel the attackers with help from Devasena’s cousin, Kumara Varma, who overcomes his cowardice. When Amarendra receives the order to capture Devasena, Kattappa reveals that Amarendra is the future king of Mahishmati. Amarendra promises to protect Devasena’s honour at any cost and takes her to Mahishmati. The misunderstanding is cleared in the court, and Shivagami gives Amarendra a choice between the throne and Devasena. Remaining true to his promise to the princess, he marries her and serves the kingdom as its commander-in-chief. Bhallaladeva is crowned amidst grand celebrations, but his jealousy over Amarendra’s popularity grows. Devasena becomes pregnant, and during her baby shower, Bhallaladeva removes Amarendra from his commander post, claiming it is to ensure he spends more time with his wife. The position is given to Sethupathi. Devasena questions the decision as unfair and confronts Shivagami for her inaction. She asks Amarendra to ascend the throne as a gift to her, shocking everyone present.

When Sethupathi dares to act inappropriately around her and other tourists while visiting a temple, Devasena stabs him in the fingers with a dagger. Both Devasena and Amarendra are expelled from the royal palace. They are expected to live as commoners after she is chained and brought before the court, where Amarendra beheads Sethupathi for his crimes. Bijjaladeva and Bhallaladeva stage a plot to further turn Shivagami against Amarendra as his fame does not fade. Bijjaladeva tricks Kumara Varma into sneaking into the palace at night in order to kill Bhallaladeva in order to do good by persuading him that Bhallaladeva’s plots will threaten Amarendra, Devasena, and their unborn child’s lives. Prior to learning that there was a plot to have Shivagami issue a directive to kill Amarendra, Kumara Varma and his allies are defeated and killed. In order to prevent an internal conflict, Shivagami orders Kattappa to kill Amarendra in secret because she thinks Amarendra sent Kumara Varma to kill Bhallaladeva.

Kattappa, bound by destiny to the kingdom, tricks Amarendra by pretending to be in trouble and leads him to a secluded place. There, Amarendra is betrayed and killed. Kattappa later discovers Bhallaladeva’s treachery and exposes it to Shivagami, who deeply regrets the situation. Meanwhile, Devasena gives birth to a baby boy. Shivagami announces to the panicked crowd that Amarendra has died and his son, Mahendra Baahubali, will take the throne. She organizes a gathering to punish Bhallaladeva and his father. However, as Bhallaladeva and his men attempt to capture Shivagami, she escapes with the new king. Sadly, she is struck by an arrow shot by Bhallaladeva and falls into a river, which leads her to a passage at the base of the mountain.

Bhallaladeva becomes a tyrannical emperor, holding Devasena captive for the next 25 years and destroying Kuntala. Mahendra joins forces with the rebels to rescue her. After hearing the entire story, Mahendra Baahubali (known as Shivudu/Shiva) immediately declares war. With the help of Kattappa and Avantika, the rebel army surrounds Mahishmati. Although Bhallaladeva recaptures Devasena, Mahendra, Kattappa, and the rebels breach the city walls and save her. Mahendra confronts his uncle and subdues him using the chains from Devasena’s cage. Following a purification ritual, Devasena sets Bhallaladeva ablaze on a pyre, ending his oppressive rule.

The following day, Mahendra is crowned as the new king of Mahishmati, and Avantika becomes his queen. He vows to lead Mahishmati in upholding peace and justice. Mahendra orders his men to throw Bhallaladeva’s statue head out of the palace, which falls down the waterfall, shattering upon hitting the cliff’s walls. It lands near the lingam that Mahendra had carried earlier.