What to say. Where to start. Somewhere, the line must be drawn. Maybe, like this ----------------------?
Sometimes, my pathetic jokes are such that even I bang my head against the nearest wall just like how I am doing now as this word is being keyed in.
Rajamouli has incredibly and insanely antes up the yardstick for film-making to such a stupendous level that it will require another yardstick to measure the already using yardstick to apprise his directorial competence. Sounds dizzying, dazing and a bit crazying, right? That was exactly how I felt as I was witnessing this visual spectacle from the visionary eyes of the James Cameron from our country. You will understand as to the reference of James Cameron soon.
Right from the introduction where B1 was narrated very succinctly using precise sketches to refresh our memories instead of a background narration saying "Previously this is what happened in B1", you know you are in for the visual treat of your life by the ace director. Take for instance. There was this sublime top-angle shot of a lush, verdant field in Devasena's kingdom and the camera was locked in that position for a brief time to indicate and reveal the prosperity of the place. It may not have seemed like a big scene in the grander scheme of the movie but Rajamouli really wanted everything to be in apple-pie order and that was crystal-clearly evident in that particular freeze. One might say that they have seen such things in a Hollywood film. Agreed. No Denials. But, this is the first for an Indian film. We should be proud of the fact that an Indian director is pushing the frontiers of our National Pride across the length and breadth of the world.
Right from the introduction where B1 was narrated very succinctly using precise sketches to refresh our memories instead of a background narration saying "Previously this is what happened in B1", you know you are in for the visual treat of your life by the ace director. Take for instance. There was this sublime top-angle shot of a lush, verdant field in Devasena's kingdom and the camera was locked in that position for a brief time to indicate and reveal the prosperity of the place. It may not have seemed like a big scene in the grander scheme of the movie but Rajamouli really wanted everything to be in apple-pie order and that was crystal-clearly evident in that particular freeze. One might say that they have seen such things in a Hollywood film. Agreed. No Denials. But, this is the first for an Indian film. We should be proud of the fact that an Indian director is pushing the frontiers of our National Pride across the length and breadth of the world.
Likewise, the chariot with huge, razor-sharp and rotating blades with arrows spewing from under the hood was ingenuity at its consummate best. Similarly, the lightning forming Mahendra Baahubali's image when his son was out there to avenge his dad's death and reclaim his rightful throne was an electrifying, pun intended, moment and a sight to behold. So was the interval block which was one of the solid power-packed punches in recent times that will be engraved in our minds like your name on your home doors.
Prabhas was fantastic in his portrayal as Amarendra Baahubali especially in the scene where he walks, like an angry lion in a cage, behind the person who apprehended and cuffed Devasena when she chopped his fingers for his unscrupulous and reprehensible act. And the setting where he was in the forefront leading Bhalla during the latter's coronation ceremony evoked a deep sense of sympathy to Prabhas for the way he projected his emotions then. However, B2 belonged to the 2 fine ladies who simply scorched the film with their arsenal of artistic capabilities. No, I am not talking about Tamannah here. She was more like a mango pickle in a sumptuous buffet instead of being a delicious dessert to sate your taste buds.
I was talking about Ramya Krishnan and Anushka when I referred to the 2 fine ladies. In B1, Anushka had an extremely limited role to play just like how Tamannah has in B2. However, Anushka as the fiery, ferocious, confident and afraid-of-none Devasena added the extra spice and hotness to the marvel created by the director. It was a touch sad that from an able warrior who could bravely safeguard and defend herself, Devasena was reduced like any other normal heroine for her to be protected by someone else.
Continuing her splendid performance from B1, Ramya Krishnan had the role to play as a strategic Raja Mata which was on par with her performance as Neelambari in 'Padayappa' particularly the scenes where her ego and inner moral conflict were in constant tussle to be seen an authoritative figure in the kingdom. Excepting for his exaggerated and effusively fulsome praise to the I-forgot-his-name-coward-turned-courage person, Sathyaraj as Kattappa was outstanding in his portrayal of the loyal soldier who wants to do the right thing but is completely caught in a quandary due to his ancestor's allegiance with the royal family and the political intrigues that was happening within the palace walls.
It wasn't just the VFX or the rendition of the actors which has set a benchmark that only Rajamouli can eclipse. Madhan Karky's dialogues were like a key to a car called Baahubali 2. Take for example. Nasser abuses and disrespects Kattappa by calling him a 'Dog' in the very first scene where he hatches up a plot to assassinate Sivagami. To which, Kattappa replies that he smelled the conspiracy as he is a dog when he was questioned whether he was eavesdropping. Also, it was a fabulous piece of writing when Prabhas goes into a poetic and romantic mode when he describes the moon and love parrots. It was equally good and humorous when Sathyaraj sees the scenario from his perspective.
The number of mammoth man-hours that has been put forth in this saga ensured that the bottom hadn't fallen out at any point in time but instead ensured that the herculean efforts has brought the house down courtesy the director's extreme involvement and deep single-minded resolute to eat, sleep and breathe Baahubali until the last VFX was done and dusted.
Rajamouli has proved that even sky's not the limit for him as he has made sure that B2 is memorable beyond the famous cliff-hanger of a question "Why Katappa killed Baahubali" that was on the mental lips of almost everyone for close to 2 years.
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