Baahubali: The Beginning is one of the most successful Indian films ever made. And why not? It has everything – mythology, family drama, romance and some truly kick-ass action and vfx.
But Baahubali isn’t just a mythological film which looks amazing. It’s actually an upper-caste Aryan male conspiracy that shows you how to keep dalits, adivasis and women suppressed. The first half of the film revolves around Shiva (actually Baahubali Jr.) and a spitting image of his god-king father) and Avantika, a girl he starts fantasising about after finding a mask of her face. In true Indian-stalker fashion, he tracks her down.
When he does, it turns out she is not the sexual, objectified stuff of his dreams but in fact an independent politically minded revolutionary who wants to rescue her queen.
Does Shiva accept this woman as a real person, who had a life and career before he came along? Of course not. He proceeds to attack her in a way that borders on sexual assault and then forces her to wear make-up. Of course, once he ‘makes her a woman’ she falls into his arms.
And now that she has a man, Avantika has lost her identity right? Her ambition and political consciousness forgotten, she allows Shiva to take on her mission to rescue the queen.
Not satisfied with its blatant patriarchy, Baahubali: The Beginning also gives feudal monarchs a guidebook on how to maintain power. Move over Machiavelli… and Queen Elizabeth, and take notes:
1. Do Not Allow Dissent
As the Queen mother and mass murderer Sivagami says while assassinating her courtiers in cold blood, Mera vachan hi hai shashan (My word is law). In Baahubali land, if you disagree with the choice or decision of your ruler, you die.
2. It’s Not a War Crime if You Do it
Remember Agent Orange and Napalm in the Vietnam war? Well, Baahubali has its own version of burning people alive, as long as they are dark adivasis, obviously named KALAkeyas. They speak in a garbled language, which has clicks, whistles and vowel heavy words. At one point, they are basically saying ‘ooga booga’.
After saying that the Kalakeyas do not follow the rules of war, Amarendra Baahubali has no problems using the most brutal tactics he can, the ancient equivalent of chemical weapons. But then, how could great rulers see ‘others’ like adivasis as human?
3. The Loyal Ones Are Okay
It’s not like all lower castes are bad. If they accept their place, do not rebel and internalise feudal and caste hierarchy they become good guys in the world of Baahubali. Katappa, a great soldier and leader even eats separately from his ‘masters’. Why? Because hum choti jaat ke hain.
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