Baahubali: The Epic Review (6.5/10): Rajamouli's Two-Film Saga Condensed

This Baahubali: The Epic review starts with the film's big idea: S. S. Rajamouli takes his two-part Telugu fantasy saga and reshapes it into a single, 224-minute action drama. It is a giant of a movie, built on scale, myth and star power. The question is whether the condensed form keeps the magic.

Baahubali: The Epic Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Baahubali: The Epic plot opens at a roaring waterfall, where a tribal couple finds a mysterious child and raises him as their own. The boy, Sivudu, grows up restless and fixated on the cliffs above. Eventually he climbs them and finds the ancient kingdom of Mahishmati.

There, a cruel tyrant rules, rebellion simmers and the past refuses to stay buried. What starts as a young man's pursuit of love turns into something much larger, tied to betrayal, sacrifice and a forgotten prince. I will say no more, because the pleasure lies in watching the layers peel back.

What Works in Baahubali: The Epic

Scale is the first thing you notice. Rajamouli stages the waterfall climb, the palace intrigue and the battlefield clashes with a confidence that makes the screen feel too small. It is the kind of action movie built for the biggest auditorium you can find.

The mythic tone also helps. Characters speak and move like figures from legend, and the film commits to that heightened style without winking at the audience. Loyalty, honour and ambition drive every scene, which keeps the storytelling clear even when the canvas is enormous.

The condensed format has one real advantage: momentum. With the saga folded into one sitting, the major set pieces arrive close together, and the central conflict never fades from view. For newcomers, it is a fast route into a famous story.

Baahubali: The Epic Cast and Performances

The Baahubali: The Epic cast is led by Prabhas, who plays Mahendra Bahubali, Amarendra Bahubali and Maharaja Veerendra Vikramadeva. He brings a calm, heroic presence that suits the film's larger-than-life tone. His physicality sells the action, and he handles the shift between playful youth and regal authority well.

Rana Daggubati is a formidable opponent as Bhallaladeva, projecting menace through sheer bulk and stillness. Anushka Shetty gives Devasena strength and fire, and Ramya Krishnan commands attention as Sivagami. Sathyaraj, as Karikala Kattappa Nadar, and Nassar, as Bijjaladeva, round out a strong ensemble.

Where Baahubali: The Epic Stumbles

Condensing two films into one has costs. Some character moments and subplots feel hurried, and viewers who do not know the story may find certain relationships thinly sketched. The emotional beats land with less weight when the film does not always give them room to breathe.

At 224 minutes, it is also a marathon, and the pacing can feel uneven as it jumps between stretches of romance, politics and war. The drama at its core is sturdy, but the editing sometimes shows its seams. The heightened style, including some dated-looking effects, may also feel excessive to viewers who prefer grounded storytelling.

Is Baahubali: The Epic Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a grand, old-fashioned spectacle and can commit nearly four hours to it. Baahubali: The Epic is worth watching for its scale, its committed cast and Rajamouli's flair for mythic action. It is less ideal as a first introduction for viewers who want fully developed characters.

The Baahubali: The Epic release date was 29 October 2025, and the film is in Telugu. For more big-screen fighting and scale, browse our war movie reviews. Fans can also read the film's Wikipedia-style reference on IMDb for credits.

Who Will Enjoy Baahubali: The Epic

• Fans of Indian epics and director S. S. Rajamouli's large-scale storytelling.

• Viewers who enjoy mythic action with palace intrigue and royal rivalry.

• Anyone curious about the Baahubali saga who prefers a single, compressed sitting.