‘Baahubali: The Epic’ – A Grand, Imperfect, But Ultimately Triumphant Reimagining of a Modern Indian Cinema Milestone

Ten years after S.S. Rajamouli redefined Indian cinema, the kingdom of Mahishmati rises again. “Baahubali: The Epic” is not merely a re-release but an ambitious reconstruction—a carefully re-edited fusion of “Baahubali: The Beginning” (2015) and “Baahubali: The Conclusion” (2017) compressed into a single, nearly four-hour cinematic experience that premiered globally on October 31, 2025.

This is Rajamouli’s vision realized as originally intended: one continuous saga before commercial realities a decade ago necessitated splitting the story into two parts. The result is a film that feels both nostalgically familiar and surprisingly fresh, offering audiences—both devotees and newcomers—the chance to experience the complete tale of valor, betrayal, and destiny without interruption.

The Story Reimagined

The narrative follows Mahendra Baahubali (Prabhas), a young man raised in obscurity by tribal villagers, who discovers his true lineage as rightful heir to the throne of Mahishmati. Through an extended flashback, we witness the tragic fate of his father, Amarendra Baahubali, also played by Prabhas with commanding presence, whose noble reign was cut short by the treachery of his power-hungry cousin Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati).

The climactic moment where Kattappa kills Baahubali now serves as the interval point, with the screen humorously declaring: “YOU DON’T NEED TO WAIT TWO YEARS TO KNOW WHY KATTAPPA KILLED BAAHUBALI” 123Telugu—a playful acknowledgment of the cliffhanger that once gripped millions.

What’s Changed

The editor has trimmed portions including the romantic track between Prabhas and Tamannaah Bhatia, with songs like “Pachabottu,” “Irrrukupo,” and “Kanna Nidurinchava” removed entirely, along with shortened war sequences Great Andhra. The opening festival sequence from The Conclusion is condensed, and the second stanza of “Saahore Baahubali” featuring emotional and war montages has been removed 123Telugu.

These cuts reduce the original combined runtime of approximately five and a half hours to a leaner 3 hours and 44 minutes. The result is mixed: while the pacing improves, particularly in the second half, some character development suffers.

Critical Reception: A Divided Consensus

Reviews have been notably varied. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 79 out of 100 based on four critics, indicating “generally favorable” reviews Wikipedia.

Variety praised the technical achievement, noting that the film yields some of the most magnificent big-screen action and melodrama, with its lack of subtlety being not only not an obstacle but possibly its biggest strength Variety.

The Telugu version recorded the highest turnout with an overall occupancy rate of 53.04% on its second day Goodreturns, demonstrating sustained audience interest beyond opening day curiosity.

123Telugu offered enthusiastic support, describing it as a carefully rebuilt film that balances grandeur with emotion and nostalgia with freshness, with Rajamouli revisiting his masterpiece with the precision of a craftsman 123Telugu.

However, Roger Ebert’s Simon Abrams expressed reservations, arguing that most of the scenes cut from “Baahubali: The Epic” help establish the character of Amarendra Baahubali, and the missing footage only diminishes Rajamouli’s sprawling, episodic narrative Roger Ebert. He added that re-releasing the films as a shorter single movie essentially reduces what was a sprawling double album to an oversized best-of compilation Roger Ebert.

Greatandhra took a more pragmatic stance, acknowledging the editor did a commendable job trimming redundant scenes, yet the film still feels a bit long, suggesting a few more cuts could have created a tighter experience Great Andhra.

Audience Response

Fan reactions on social media have been overwhelmingly positive. Online reactions describe it as a “mythological masterpiece of sight and sound,” with one fan writing that every frame, beat of music, and visual still carries the same magic, making it feel like witnessing history reborn Dynamite News.

The Telugu version recorded the highest turnout with an overall occupancy rate of 53.04% on its second day Goodreturns, demonstrating sustained audience interest beyond opening day curiosity.

Technical Excellence

The film features technical updates overseen by Rajamouli himself, with remastered visuals and sound Variety. The visual effects, a decade old in their original form, hold up remarkably well on modern IMAX and premium large format screens. M.M. Keeravani’s remastered score continues to elevate every frame, from the thunderous battle sequences to intimate emotional moments.

Performances That Endure

Prabhas remains the anchor, embodying both father and son with equal charisma—the performance that cemented his status as India’s first true pan-Indian superstar. Ramya Krishnan’s Sivagami commands the screen with regal authority, while Sathyaraj’s Kattappa provides the emotional core of the narrative. Anushka Shetty’s Devasena represents strength and defiance, and Rana Daggubati’s Bhallaladeva remains effectively menacing, if somewhat stereotypical in his villainy.

Final Verdict

“Baahubali: The Epic” succeeds as both a nostalgic revisit and a technical showcase for what remains one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious achievements. While purists may lament the loss of character development and romantic subplots, the streamlined narrative allows Rajamouli’s grand vision to flow with renewed momentum.

This is less a “director’s cut” than a “director’s reconsideration”—what the film might have been had four-hour theatrical releases been commercially viable in 2015. For those who lived through the original two-year wait between films, this version offers closure without cliffhangers. For newcomers, it’s an accessible entry point into a cinematic universe that expanded the possibilities of Indian filmmaking.

Opening day collections reached an impressive ₹10.80 crore in India Goodreturns, proving that even a decade later, the legend of Mahishmati can still draw crowds to theaters. Whether you’re returning to relive the magic or discovering it for the first time, “Baahubali: The Epic” remains what it always was: a spectacle that demands to be experienced on the largest screen possible.

Rating: 4/5 stars

This story was aggregated by AI from several news reports and edited by American Kahani’s News Desk.