Baahubali: The Epic review: Rajamouli's vision comes full circle with Prabhas yet again

Rajamouli combines Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) into one big movie called "Baahubali: The Epic" instead of releasing them separately.

After the pandemic, Telugu movies have been re-released, with some old favourites coming back to the big screen and some fading quickly while others regain their former glory. When SS Rajamouli goes back to his greatest work, though, he doesn't just re-release it; he reinvents it.

Rajamouli combines Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) into one big movie called "Baahubali: The Epic" instead of releasing them separately. The new cut, which is almost four hours long, is not just a collection of scenes; it's a reimagined, unified story that feels both familiar and new.

Rajamouli's vision: A lot of detail and a little bit of craziness

Rajamouli's careful work has earned him the nickname "Jakkanna," which means "the perfect sculptor." His attention to detail is clear in every frame. The opening title card has been changed to include symbolic images that honor the saga's mythic nature.

He tells the audience, "You may know the story, but you've never seen it like this," to get them to rediscover Baahubali. That trust is not misplaced.

A More Personal Start

Now the movie starts on a more personal note. Sivagami (Ramya Krishna) comes out of a hidden cave with the baby in her arms. The chase, the river, and her last act of sacrifice are all very powerful. There is grandeur, but the emotional impact is stronger.

The scenes from Shivudu's childhood have been changed to make them flow better. He now lifts the Siva Lingam before finding the wooden mask, which gives the story a natural sense of destiny. The "Dheevara" sequence comes next without a hitch, making the emotional rhythm tighter.

The conversations between Tanikella Bharani and Shivudu's adoptive parents are gone. The story moves more quickly and with more purpose now.

Avantika's Arc: New and Improved

One of the most noticeable changes is that Avantika's (Tamannaah) story has been cut down. Rajamouli himself tells a short voiceover that sums up her background and relationship with Baahubali instead of spending half an hour on her introduction.

The love scenes and the song "Paccha Bottesina" are no longer there. But the heart of her mission and the emotional connection are still there. The famous iceberg escape scene has been cut down for speed, but it still has the same thrill.

The early comic scenes, like the one where Kattappa meets Aslam Khan (Kichcha Sudeep), have been cut out completely to keep the tone the same.

Back to Mahishmathi: Feelings Over Spectacle

Rajamouli cuts down on Bhallaladeva's (Rana Daggubati) early scenes of cruelty and instead focuses on how people are amazed and devoted to Baahubali's return. The Kalakeya war is shorter now, but it still gives you an adrenaline rush.

Rajamouli's trademark wink comes at the end of the interval: "You don't need to wait two years to find out why Kattappa killed Baahubali." The crowd goes wild, which is a moment that connects the past and the present.

The Second Half: The Story's Heart

The second half cuts down on Baahubali: The Conclusion while keeping its emotional depth. The "Saahore Baahubali" song is shorter, and the funny parts are gone.

Devasena (Anushka Shetty) is introduced, and her fiery spirit and chemistry with Amarendra Baahubali (Prabhas) are the main focus.

There are no more funny parts with Kattappa teasing or Kumara Varma doing silly things, but the story flows better. The pacing gets better, which makes Baahubali's fall and Mahendra's rise seem more important.

The emotional climax—Amarendra's death, Sivagami's guilt, and Mahendra's revenge—hits even harder.

A Movie Trailer for "Baahubali: The Eternal War"

Rajamouli surprises fans with a teaser for Baahubali: The Eternal War (Part 1), which comes out in 2027, right after the credits roll.

Rajamouli wrote the teaser, and Ishan Shukla directed it. It takes the Baahubali world into mythical, divine places. Through Sivagami's powerful narration, we see Amarendra Baahubali rise above death to fight gods in a cosmic war against Indra himself.

The last line says, "Who will now save you from Baahubali?" — spoken in Prabhas's unmistakable voice, makes the audience go wild with applause.

Rajamouli's Dream, Finally Complete

Baahubali: The Epic feels like seeing Rajamouli's original vision brought back to life: a four-hour mythological opera that was too big to be released all at once.

The sharper pictures and remastered sound make Mahishmathi feel like it's alive again. Every roar, every silence, and every sword clash is full of feeling.

Also read: Baahubali: The Epic box office collection: SS Rajamouli’s re-mastered version earns Rs 10.4 crore in two days

The Final Decision

Not only is "Baahubali: The Epic" a repackaged re-release, it's also a movie resurrection. Rajamouli makes a version that is stronger, leaner, and more emotionally connected.

He doesn't just tell stories from the past; he changes them, which is why he is still India's most visionary filmmaker.

Ten years later, Baahubali is still a big deal—not just as a movie, but as a phenomenon that keeps changing, inspiring, and winning.

Director: SS Rajamouli

Producer: Shibu Yarlagadda

Cast: Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati

Rating: 3.5 /5