‘Bāhubali: The Epic’ Review: An Impressive Introduction to the world of S.S. Rajamouli

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Indian director S.S. Rajamouli gained international fame in 2022 with his Telugu-language film, RRR. The movie was a huge hit in the US, even earning an Oscar nomination. However, Rajamouli was already incredibly popular in India, often compared to directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron because of his ability to create blockbuster films that appeal to large audiences. Before RRR, he directed the epic two-part fantasy film Bāhubali. The first part, The Beginning, came out in 2015, and The Conclusion followed in 2017. Watching both films together takes over five and a half hours, which is a significant time commitment. Now, Rajamouli has created Bāhubali: The Epic, a single film combining both parts with remastered visuals for 4K and IMAX, improved special effects, a new color scheme, and some extra content for fans.

As a huge movie fan, I was completely blown away by Bāhubali: The Epic. At three hours and forty minutes – and thankfully with a mid-movie break so we don’t have to wait ages for the sequel! – it’s a fantastic way to discover the work of director S.S. Rajamouli. It’s truly epic cinema, blending the timeless feel of mythology with the sheer scale and thrill of a massive blockbuster.

Bāhubali: The Epic tells the story of Mahendra Baahubali, a hero played by Prabhas, who is saved as a baby when his mother drowns while escaping soldiers. He’s raised as Shivudu in a local village and grows up with incredible strength, constantly challenging himself by climbing steep cliffs. His journey eventually leads him to the magnificent kingdom of Mahishmati, where he discovers his true identity and learns he’s the son of the brave warrior prince, Amarendra Baahubali.

The film then flashes back to tell us about Amarendra, who, like Shiva, was raised as a prince through adoption. Honestly, trying to explain all the twists and turns in Bāhubali: The Epic would ruin it – part of the magic is how the story unfolds with one huge reveal after another, constantly raising the stakes. Think massive battle scenes, shocking betrayals, vibrant musical numbers, and incredible fantasy sequences. It’s wonderfully over-the-top and melodramatic, which, for me, is exactly what a great mythological story should be!

S.S. Rajamouli stands out from many Indian filmmakers because he’s a master storyteller. He creates epic, large-scale films that still feel grounded thanks to well-developed characters and a touch of humor. (For example, his 2012 film Eega is a wildly creative story about a man who transforms into a fly to avenge his murder.) Now, he’s working on his most ambitious project yet—even bigger than RRR—and demonstrates a real talent for spectacular, crowd-pleasing filmmaking. Comparisons to James Cameron are fitting, considering how brilliantly imagined, visually stunning, and thoroughly enjoyable films like Bāhubali are. It’s filmmaking on the scale of Avatar, even if the special effects aren’t quite as polished.

While Bāhubali: The Epic isn’t a brand new movie – it’s a re-edit of the popular two-part film – it still offers a lot, especially for devoted fans. It makes you wonder what this new version brings to the table. Seeing Bāhubali in theaters is a big draw, particularly for international viewers who didn’t have that chance before. The film has also been beautifully remastered. The original movies were visually stunning, but this new 4K version is a significant upgrade. Director Rajamouli has even expanded the image to fit IMAX screens, which mostly works wonderfully, making action sequences like the cliff climb even more thrilling. A few shots were slightly cropped, and some don’t look quite as polished, but overall, The Epic looks better than the original two films.

The editing of Bāhubali: The Epic is where the film becomes a bit uneven. Viewers new to the story won’t likely notice much is lost thanks to the movie’s fast pace—even though it’s nearly four hours long, it rarely slows down. However, fans of the original two films will notice changes, as about two hours of footage has been removed. Many comedic moments are shorter, and there are fewer musical numbers in this version. While the editing creates a streamlined experience—almost like a fast-forward through the original Bāhubali—it also diminishes some of the film’s emotional depth. Overall, though, this new cut is well-done.

Despite its length, Bāhubali: The Epic is easy to recommend, especially if you can see it in a theater. Experiencing it on an IMAX screen would be incredibly enjoyable. It’s hard to say how well the full two-part version will hold up over time, as many viewers might prefer the faster-paced, single-film edit. However, both The Beginning and The Conclusion are still available for those who want the complete story. Regardless of which version you choose, you’re in for a thrilling and epic film – one of the most entertaining released in the last ten years. This should keep fans happy while director Rajamouli works on his next project, SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, which is expected in 2027.

From Variance Films, Bāhubali: The Epic is now playing in theaters worldwide.

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2025-11-02 20:03