The word Bahubali
springs up an image of tall hefty dark complexioned moustache wielding
henchman. Image of wicked politician with army of goons may also crop up. Rarely found, this was also the name of Raja
Rishabdev’s son. Rishabdev was first of
revered Tirthankara.
Five years ago, S S Rajamouli, noted director of Telugu
films, with this name embarked upon the highest budgeted film in history of
Indian cinema. Rajamouli had initially thought of making movie on character
Shivagami, a fierce queen. However as the plot evolved it took shape of mega
film epic Bahubali: The Beginning. The role of Shivagami has been essayed by
Ramya Krishnan. She has also acted in Bollywood movies during mid nineties.Initially the role was offered to Sridevi. However it was going to be
Ramya’s cake. She had been praised for her on screen portrayal.
It took three years to produce the 250 crore rupee celluloid
epic. Cast included Prabhas, Tamannaah, Anushka Shetty, Rana Dugubbati and
others. The movie is a fictional revenge
drama set in some Mahishmati empire. The big budget movie was given U/A
certificate, uncut.
Rajamouli is noted director and screen writer of Telugu
films.. He made directorial debut in 2001 with film Student No 1, with Jr.NTR
in cast. His other acclaimed works include Chatrapathi, Vikramarkudu,
Magadheera et al. Vikramrkudu was later made into Hindi as Rowdy Rathore. He
has made short on-screen appearance in Bahubali. This reminds of Subhash Ghai
featuring in Daud and Pardes during 90s.
Prabhas, portraying Bahubali, is an engineering graduate who
made his debut in 2002 with Telugu film Eeshwar. His acclaimed movies are
Varsham, Chatrapathi, Mr. Perfect et al. His eleven movies have been dubbed
into Hindi. They include Mr. Perfect by same name, co starring Tapasee Pannu
and Kajal Agarwal. Mirchi as Khatarnak Khiladi. Darling as Sabse Badhkar Hum.
Mirchi in 2013 had him conferred state Best Actor award.
Rana Dugubatti, who plays Kattapaa is, a Digital
professional with elaborate family background into film world embarked upon his
film career with Telugu film Leader in 2010. He had successful stint on various
facets of behind camera, before making debut as an actor. His set up Spirit
Media has been associated with Dashavtaram, Gandhi My Father and many more. He
collaborated with FX Labs to produce video games based on popular Bollywood blockbusters
like Dhoom 2 and Gazhani. Interestingly that has been shown as on screen
profession of Prabhas in Mr. Perfect. 
Tamanaah Bhatia who portrays Avanthika started her film
career in 2005 with Bollywood movie Chand Sa Roshan Chehra. Her career
flourished in Telugu and Tamil films. She forayed in Telugu industry with Sri
in 2005 and into Tamil world with Kedi in 2006.
Anushka Shetty plays Devasena in the movie. She is a stage
artist who made debut on Telugu silver screen with Super in 2005. She has also
featured in Tamil film Singham in 2010 and also its sequel Singham II in 2013.
She can also be seen in Vikramakudu and Rudramadevi which have been dubbed into
Hindi.
The master piece of 2015 came with Firsts of its own. Going
by its name, the movie had massive 50,000sq.ft poster, unveiled at Kochi. This
has found way into Guinness Bok of Records. The trailer of movie had over 1
crore views on YouTube since it was released. Madhan Karki, writer of film
incorporated a dialect Kilkili which has only 750 words.
The movie had sets of magnificent palaces, waterfalls, the
battle field and grand forts. There is a waterfall scene in movie. It took 109
days to shoot. Fight scene of 20 minutes
had taken 4 months to complete.
The magnum opus of S S Rajamouli was not only highest
budgeted creation but also happens to be biggest spinner at box office. The
collection crossed Rs 600 crore marker in history of Indian silver screen. The
highest grossing Telugu film also crossed 100 crore BO mark in its Hindi
version. This is highest ever collection for non-Hindi film dubbed in Hindi .The
movie was released in 135 screen in US and around 4000 world over. On
international scenario the movie grossed Rs 28.6 crore at U.S box office
weekend collection replacing PK, whose collection stood at 19.53 crore. 
The sets of Bahubali: The Beginning were such a visual
delight that they were in demand even for marriage ceremony. Business tycoon
Ravi Pillai from Kerala had the wedding set of movie recreated for the ceremony
of his daughter. Such was the impact. We all know museums world over are
created to preserve the important facets of era. It is proposed, for the first
time, there will be museum created to house weapons, armours and costumes that
actors wore in the movie.
The movie had garnered curiosity amongst foreign film makers.
Oscar winning film director Claude Lelouch visited Ramoji Film City where the shooting
of movie was going on. The movie was reviewed by CNN, BBC, The Guardian and
other leading foreign media houses. BBC
in its short film on 100 years of Indian cinema had documented Making of
Bahubali.
The movies that go on floor are initially scripted as books.
Some are acknowledged, most are not. Bahubali is a cult apart. It will have
prequel. Anand Neelkanthan, renowned writer of south has been roped in by
Rajamouli to adapt this mega block buster into series of novel. Rise of
Shivagami, will be the first of Bahubali trilogy. This book will shed light on
Shivagami, the courageous queen and foster mother of Bahubali. The cover of
this book was unveiled by Rana Duggubutti and Rajamouli in recently concluded
Literary Fest at Jaipur. The author, Anand Neelkanthan was also present on the
occasion. 
The grandiose of cinema, Bahubali was made in Telugu and
Tamil and dubbed into various other languages including Hindi and French.
The sequel, Bahubali 2, is slated for release on 28th
April. The mystery of why Kattappa killed Bahubali will be revealed.
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