Baahubali: The Epic (2025) [Film Review] — An Epic Retold, Magnificent but Missing Some Heart

Baahubali: The Epic review celebrates S.S. Rajamouli’s grand vision in a new, remastered single-feature cut that stitches together the two original films. The result foregrounds the franchise’s monumental battle sequences and pageant-like grandeur while sacrificing some of the character beats and connective tissue that made the two-part saga emotionally resonant.

Story & Structure

Legend, legacy, and a leaner narrative

The film still centers on Mahendra Baahubali (Prabhas) avenging his father Amarendra’s fate and reclaiming the throne of Mahishmathi from the jealous Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati). By compressing the original five-hour sweep into a much shorter runtime, the re-edit favors momentum and spectacle over gradual character building — which streamlines the myth but occasionally weakens the cause-and-effect that made key relationships feel earned.

Direction & Visuals

Rajamouli’s bravura is on full display

S.S. Rajamouli’s command of large-scale set pieces remains the film’s beating heart. The remaster preserves the kinetic choreography of war, the operatic camera moves, and the lavish production design that draw obvious comparisons to global epics. Even stripped of some scenes, the visual storytelling — from waterfall rescues to massed cavalry — retains a visceral, cinema-scale impact that proves why the franchise broke language and market barriers.

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Performances

Charisma, gravitas, and regal presence

Prabhas anchors both hero arcs with physical charisma and quiet nobility. Ramya Krishnan’s Sivagami brings iron-willed authority and is arguably the emotional spine of the story; her scenes land with rare force. Anushka Shetty’s Devasena and Rana’s fierce Bhallaladeva deliver the passion and menace the saga requires. Sathyaraj’s Kattappa remains a scene-stealer, though his motivations read with slightly less clarity in the condensed version.

Themes & Editing Choices

Statecraft, sacrifice — and what the cuts cost

At its core, Baahubali interrogates what makes a ruler worthy: empathy, courage, and service to the people. The shorter cut sharpens the thematic throughline but trims the incidental warmth — small moments that showed Amarendra’s rapport with villagers, or Varma’s comic missteps — leaving certain emotional payoffs and character nuances underdeveloped. For newcomers, the streamlined epic delivers thrills; for longtime fans, it can feel like an overenthusiastic "greatest hits" that omits quieter, defining moments.

Verdict — Who Should Watch?

A spectacular primer, not a full replacement

Baahubali: The Epic is a visually intoxicating experience and a strong introduction for first-time viewers who want the franchise’s high points in one sitting. But purists and those moved by Rajamouli’s original pacing will miss the depth that the full two-part narrative provided. Ultimately, it’s a worthy showcase of Indian epic cinema — breathtaking in scale, slightly diminished in intimacy.

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Rating: 7.5 / 10

Bottom line: Stream for the set pieces and performances; revisit the original two-part release if you want the complete emotional tapestry.