Baahubali is all set to become one of the highest grossing films in Indian cinema history. And it doesn’t star Rajnikanth or any of the Khans.
Made on a massive Rs 250 crore budget, the first installment of the film has impressed audiences all over India and the world. Just the hindi dubbed version of the film made over Rs 22 crore. It is also the highest grossing Indian film in the foreign market.
What makes this film so popular, despite not a having a huge star? How has it’s appeal been so universal?
The Quint breaks down what Baahubali got right.
1. KISS!
No, there are no Emraan Hashmi-esque smooches. When it comes to films that are visually and technically brilliant, the key is to Keep It Simple, Silly (KISS).
The film isn’t dialogue heavy at all, which makes watching the dubbed version completely seamless. But more importantly, the audience can enjoy the visual journey the film takes us on, without trying to follow a convoluted plot.
2. Bachchpan Ki Kahaaniyan
Despite the simple dialogue and plot, the story is quite interesting. Except for one long set of somewhat forced romantic scenes, the plot moves quite well. This is because writer-director SS Rajumouli weaves in a series of archetypes from Indian mythology, stories that all of us grew up with.
There is theme of inheritance and disputes over the throne between cousins borrowed from the Mahabharat. There is a hero that is brought up in a distant hamlet who returns to the capital to fight his evil uncle for the throne (like the Kans vadh episode from Krishna’s tale). And the hero carries an entire shivalingam, much the way Hanuman carries an entire mountain.
These stories are familiar, yet fascinating when they are re-told in completely new fictional universe.
3. Visual Inspiration
Baahubali’s USP is its cinematography and visual effects. It has borrowed sequences from various iconic international films, from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to Avatar.
However, it has adapted these sequences to it’s plot, the overall visual aesthetic of the film.
So for once it’s an actual case of inspiration and not ‘inspiration’ (read: plagiarism) that Indian film-makers are apt to do.
4. Setting up the Sequel
Finally, the film ends with an amazing cliffhanger, which sets up the sequel. No spoilers here, but take it from me, once you see the first film you’ll definitely have to see the second.
The Avengers has nothing on Baahubali.