Ten years after its release, despite its groundbreaking box office success, some still question if SS Rajamouli’s fantasy epic, Baahubali, truly lived up to its immense hype.
A Decade Later, The Hype Lingers
Back in 2015, one question dominated Indian conversations: “Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?” This cliffhanger from the first installment, Baahubali: The Beginning, gripped the nation and set the stage for an unprecedented cinematic phenomenon. While millions celebrated its grandeur, some viewers felt a disconnect, questioning the film’s artistic merit beyond its marketing brilliance.
Despite the film’s global fame and its impact on the Indian film industry, certain aspects of Baahubali raised eyebrows for critics seeking a deeper, more refined fantasy experience. For those who weren’t swept away by the fanfare, the enduring question remains: was it really that great?
The Visuals: More Video Game Than Grand Epic?
One of the most immediate points of contention for some viewers was the film’s visual effects. Scenes like Baahubali lifting a Shiva lingam or walking on water, intended to symbolize power, often felt unconvincing due to what was perceived as subpar CGI. Expectations of a “Lord of the Rings” level of visual artistry were met instead with visuals reminiscent of fantasy video games like Uncharted or God of War.
This stark contrast led to a puzzling double standard for some. While recent films like Adipurush faced heavy criticism for their animation and VFX, Baahubali, despite similar perceived shortcomings, largely escaped such scrutiny in mainstream discourse. This raises questions about how the film achieved its widespread global acclaim with visuals that, for some, lacked a convincing sheen.
Costumes and Makeup: A Distracting Spectacle
Beyond the CGI, the aesthetic choices for characters also drew criticism. Many found the overdone looks and exaggerated makeup, particularly for female characters like Devasena and Sivagami Devi, to be a significant turn-off. This artistic decision inadvertently pulled viewers out of the narrative, making the fantasy drama feel more like a “fancy dress” competition than a believable historical epic.
Creating a fantasy period drama that feels realistic, even with fantastical elements, is a delicate balance. Hollywood and even some Bollywood productions, such as Jodha Akbar, Game of Thrones, and Vikings, have masterfully blended historical authenticity with imaginative flair. Baahubali, for some, missed this mark, sacrificing believability for an over-the-top visual style.
A Story Driven by a Single Question?
The entire Baahubali duology heavily leaned on the “Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?” mystery. While undoubtedly a genius marketing move that fueled massive anticipation for Baahubali: The Conclusion, some felt it overshadowed the narrative itself. The emotional connections between characters often seemed forced rather than organically developed, and impressive visuals couldn’t always compensate for perceived plot holes.
For these critics, the story arc, despite its grand scale, wasn’t intrinsically intriguing. Ironically, it was often the powerful background score that captivated more than the character motivations or plot progression. This reliance on a single plot device, rather than a rich, evolving storyline, became a point of concern for those seeking a more complex cinematic experience.
Characters Lacking Nuance
The film’s characters, while iconic, often appeared one-dimensional to some viewers. Amarendra was the epitome of a noble hero, Bhallaladeva purely evil, Devasena unequivocally ethical, and Sivagami largely aloof. This lack of moral complexity or internal struggle meant that the characters, despite strong performances, felt less like fully realized individuals and more like archetypes.
The film’s massive success, in this view, stemmed more from its cultural impact and larger-than-life spectacles than from brilliant writing or profound character development. While Baahubali undeniably opened doors for “Pan-India” films, proving that regional cinema could transcend language barriers, some argue it wasn’t the cinematic breakthrough in storytelling that many proclaimed it to be.
- The film’s CGI was often criticized for lacking realism, feeling more like a video game than a high-budget epic.
- Exaggerated makeup and costumes for key characters detracted from the film’s believability.
- The plot’s heavy reliance on the “Kattappa” cliffhanger was seen as a marketing strategy rather than organic storytelling.
- Characters were perceived as one-dimensional, lacking the moral complexity found in other acclaimed dramas.
Despite Baahubali: The Beginning grossing Rs 650 crore worldwide and its sequel exceeding Rs 1,810.60 crore globally, the debate continues for some: did it genuinely deliver on its promise of cinematic greatness, or was it a masterclass in spectacle and marketing?
