Director SS Rajamouli has done some remarkable things with this
monumental film, which is the first of a two-part tale. One, he's made a
film that actually gets better after intermission. Two, he's given us a
new epic with Bahubali. Yes, the cast is dressed like characters
in Amar Chitra Katha, but this isn't a reinterpretation of Mahabharata
or a retelling of Ramayana. V. Vijayendra Prasad has written a whole new
and original epic that doesn't borrow too obviously from our favourite
Hindu epics. Here, we see (mostly) new gods and new heroes who are not
bland replicas of mythological heroes.
Story Line
Our hero is Shiva (Prabhas), a prince who is smuggled out of his kingdom and raised by a different tribe. He grows up not knowing his lineage, but acquires some serious rock-climbing skills. If his wooing techniques are any indication, lurking under his hulking physique is an aspiring tattoo and make-up artist. In the first half of Bahubali, we see Shiva scampering up a mighty waterfall and pursuing the feisty Avanthika (Tamannaah), who is part of a rebel group that lives in a hideout, high up in the mountains. She is possibly the worst assassin in the history of all time, given how she doesn't notice minor details like Shiva's bulked-up self lying on a branch above her, painting paisleys on her shoulder. Then again, you know what they say — love is blind.
Shiva is besotted by Avanthika and so he marks her as his
own by discreetly painting tattoos on her. Later, when they finally lock
eyes on one another, he subjects her to a Zorro-inspired
striptease (mythical rebel heroines have nice underwear. In satin, no
less) and in a flourish that will make stylists clap delightedly, Shiva
turns Avanthika's green dhoti into a red skirt-type-thing. Avanthika
sees herself post-makeover and sensibly decides Shiva is a keeper.
Meanwhile in Mahishmati, King Bhallala Deva (Rana Dagubatti) shows off
his rippling shoulder muscles and takes a giant bull by the horns,
literally.
As might be evident, the first half of Bahubali isn't exactly riveting. It teeters between funny, spectacular and tragic, depending upon how keen-eyed the viewer is and how much acting is required of the cast. You can tell the shooting has spread over the better part of two years because the continuity is inconsistent. For instance, Shiva has armpit hair in one shot and in the next second, he's been depilated comprehensively.
However, Rajamouli is hoping what his VFX team has dreamed up as the imaginary terrain of Bahubali will blind the viewer to the film's weaknesses and to a large extent, this tactic works. The CGI landscape, like the waterfalls and the rather magnificent Mahishmati, are spectacular. There are a few laughable spots, but they are few and far between. While Bahubali doesn't feel as real as Middle Earth, it is a beautifully-imagined fantasy landscape that has been rendered in impressive detail, particularly by Indian standards.
In fact, the fake waterfall and city are more convincing than the real humans. Tamannaah confirms that she is an abysmally bad actress. As far as this reviewer is concerned, Prabhas is marginally better, but those who aren't inclined towards being distracted by shirtless, well-built men may disagree. Fortunately, Prabhas entirely redeems himself with the fight sequences and stunts that he performs. There's an air of Rajinikanth to the actor, right down to the goofy grin. Dagubatti has little to do except flex his muscles and smoulder from time to time, which he does ably. The two actors who do actually do some acting are Ramya Krishnan and Sathyaraj, both of whom play important secondary roles.
It's post-intermission that Bahubali really comes into its own. Shiva is told the story of his father, Amarendra Bahubali (Prabhas in a double role), and his cousin, Bhallala Deva. They are princes in the royal family of Mahishmati, which faces multiple crises. Chaos is avoided when Bhallala's formidable mother Sivagami (Ramya Krishan) takes charge. However, when a murderous army lands up at Mahismati's borders, it is time for the two princes to take centre stage and they do so in a fantastically choreographed battle that unfurls over more than 30 minutes.
This battle is Rajamouli's tour de force. It's elaborate, well-choreographed and has some breathtaking moments. Prabhas and Dagubatti are both in their elements as the warriors who approach warfare in two distinctive styles. The outcome of the battle is no surprise, but there are enough clever tactics and twists to keep the audience hooked.
Story Line
Our hero is Shiva (Prabhas), a prince who is smuggled out of his kingdom and raised by a different tribe. He grows up not knowing his lineage, but acquires some serious rock-climbing skills. If his wooing techniques are any indication, lurking under his hulking physique is an aspiring tattoo and make-up artist. In the first half of Bahubali, we see Shiva scampering up a mighty waterfall and pursuing the feisty Avanthika (Tamannaah), who is part of a rebel group that lives in a hideout, high up in the mountains. She is possibly the worst assassin in the history of all time, given how she doesn't notice minor details like Shiva's bulked-up self lying on a branch above her, painting paisleys on her shoulder. Then again, you know what they say — love is blind.
As might be evident, the first half of Bahubali isn't exactly riveting. It teeters between funny, spectacular and tragic, depending upon how keen-eyed the viewer is and how much acting is required of the cast. You can tell the shooting has spread over the better part of two years because the continuity is inconsistent. For instance, Shiva has armpit hair in one shot and in the next second, he's been depilated comprehensively.
However, Rajamouli is hoping what his VFX team has dreamed up as the imaginary terrain of Bahubali will blind the viewer to the film's weaknesses and to a large extent, this tactic works. The CGI landscape, like the waterfalls and the rather magnificent Mahishmati, are spectacular. There are a few laughable spots, but they are few and far between. While Bahubali doesn't feel as real as Middle Earth, it is a beautifully-imagined fantasy landscape that has been rendered in impressive detail, particularly by Indian standards.
In fact, the fake waterfall and city are more convincing than the real humans. Tamannaah confirms that she is an abysmally bad actress. As far as this reviewer is concerned, Prabhas is marginally better, but those who aren't inclined towards being distracted by shirtless, well-built men may disagree. Fortunately, Prabhas entirely redeems himself with the fight sequences and stunts that he performs. There's an air of Rajinikanth to the actor, right down to the goofy grin. Dagubatti has little to do except flex his muscles and smoulder from time to time, which he does ably. The two actors who do actually do some acting are Ramya Krishnan and Sathyaraj, both of whom play important secondary roles.
It's post-intermission that Bahubali really comes into its own. Shiva is told the story of his father, Amarendra Bahubali (Prabhas in a double role), and his cousin, Bhallala Deva. They are princes in the royal family of Mahishmati, which faces multiple crises. Chaos is avoided when Bhallala's formidable mother Sivagami (Ramya Krishan) takes charge. However, when a murderous army lands up at Mahismati's borders, it is time for the two princes to take centre stage and they do so in a fantastically choreographed battle that unfurls over more than 30 minutes.
This battle is Rajamouli's tour de force. It's elaborate, well-choreographed and has some breathtaking moments. Prabhas and Dagubatti are both in their elements as the warriors who approach warfare in two distinctive styles. The outcome of the battle is no surprise, but there are enough clever tactics and twists to keep the audience hooked.
Box Office report
Expecting 30+ Crores in first day. As the number of releasing centers and Rajamouli's direction impact will make the film to takeover the box office as much as higher than ever.
Expecting 30+ Crores in first day. As the number of releasing centers and Rajamouli's direction impact will make the film to takeover the box office as much as higher than ever.
No comments
Post a Comment