Bahubali: Blow by Blow, Shot by Shot

Here is a blow by blow account of Bahubali as it unfolded on screen at midnight:

12:32am: Stunning shots, spectacular scenes.

12:34am: As the movie begins, crowds go delirious. It’s as if a sea is roaring. A soul-stirring and soothing "Jeevanadhi" track comes. It’s all silence now.

12:39am: What waterfall….. The atmosphere is electrifying. As Ramya Krishnan makes her entrance, there is a roar of applause.

12:45am: Grand entrance of Shivudu (Prabhas). He displays amazing rock-climbing skills.

12:46am: OMG… Greek God Prabhas carries Shiva idol and the crowd is simply delirious.

12:50am: Shivudu finds a mysterious mask. He begins to search for the mystery girl on mountain top.

12:52am: "Dheevara" track…… Screen scorcher Tamannah is beauty personified.

12:54am: But Avantika is not just a beauty. She is an ace sword fighter and Shocks Shivudu.

12:57am: Shacked Rani Devasena (Anushka) shown.

1:03am: Karikala Kattappa makes entry. This is amazing Sathiaraj. He meets weapon dealer Sudeep. This is a surprise for the audience.

1:05am: Dialogues are stunning, Keeravani’s background music is awesome. It simply takes the film several notches up. Sample this dialogue: “Maata ichinavallu chanipovachu kaani Mataa Nilichevuntundi.”

1:08am: First encounter between Avanthika and Sivudu under water. This scene is surreal, out of the world and simply screen scorching.

1:07am: Only Rajamouli could turn beautiful Tamanna into a dutiful swordswoman.

1:09am: Wow! Here comes spectacular Mahishmathi…. Truly larger than life. So convincing. You ain’t seen anything like this.

1:10am: Rana makes grand entry. He is arrogance personified, confidence in human form and evil incarnate. No …. He is no longer Rana. He is Bhallaladeva.

1:12am: Amazing scene of Bhallaladeva reins in the raging bull. Simply mind-blowing. You may have seen this in the trailer, but the mood here makes it bigger than the biggest.

1:14am: Karikala Kattappa saves the life of Bhallaladeva and seeks release of Rani Devasena... Evil Bhallaladeva says No.

1:16am: Here comes Naser. Wow… what grand entry.

1:17am: Adavi Seshu as a relative of Bhallaladeva

1:19am: The first glimpse of Rani Devasena (Anushka). Ruffled, dusty, unruly hair and the soiled clothes set the mood for her story. No… her face not revealed yet.

1:20am: Anushka’s stunning dialogue: “Pulla lerukovadaaniki nenu pichi daaninanukunnava Kattappa... Chiti perustunnanu... Aa Bhallaladevuni kaalchadaaniki.”

1:23am: Anushka as Rani Devasena is simply stunning. Wow… she is a consummate actress.

1:26am: Avanthika and Sivudu sword fight. Simply superb.

1:27am: Rajamouli turns the warrior lady into beautiful lass. What transformation. Hail Rajamouli for his deft touch. Anushka, Prabhas set the screen afire.

1:31am: Pachabottesina song… The ambiance is amazing. The audience are stunned into silence after a massive tsunami like roar.

1:32am: The golden statue of Bhallalasena is getting installed. Some scenes we have already scene in the teasers. But, seeing them on screen is just experiencing orgasm.

1:34am: Shivudu decides to help Avanthika in her ‘Attack Mahishmati’ mission. Stunning CG work.

1:36am: The famous avalanche scene comes now.

1:37am: Sivudu joins hands with Avanthika, says he will liberate Rani Devasena. Film takes a superb turn. Sivudu says he doesn’t care who Devasena is. “I do not know her, but I will get her for you,” he promises.

1:38am: Sivudu sets foot Mahishmati ... The grandeur of the kingdom and the entry of the hero whips up unforeseen frenzy. “Nippule swasagaa” song …. Already my BP has shot up.

1:40am: Massive demonstration of Bhallaladeva’s royal might. As the idol is being installed, it begins to come down. Sivudu saves many from being crushed.

1:43am: Sivudu metamorphoses into Bahubali.

1:47am: Rani Devasena victorious look at cruel king Bhalladeva. This is a grandiose and spectacular setting to announce Baahubali. Intermission, but the adrenaline rush refuses to subside.

1:53am: The movie goes back to Koyakona and Avanthika’s lair.

1:54am: Bhallaladeva comes searching for Sivudu. Both come face to face. Epic encounter, epic picturisation and what mood……

1:56am: Royal mother Devasena and her scion Sivudu aka Bahubali meet. From scary encounters, the film gets senti.

2:03am: Amazing battle scenes, shot so convincingly. Simply surreal….

2:05am: Bhadra beheaded by Sivudu. Another great scene.

2:06am: Karinada Kattappa realizes Sivudu as son of Bahubali... Great emotions flow seamlessly. The movie is a massive mélange of emotions.

2:07am: Story gets serious, Sivudu realizes who he is.

2:09am: Dialogue: Nuvvu Amarendra baahubali rakthanivi

2:11am: Grand entry of raja maatha Sivagami devi

2:13am: Sivagamini names Devasena’s son as Amarendra Bahubali

2:14am: Mature, brilliant performance by seasoned Ramya krishna... Her presence on screen is simply electrifying. Wow. Movie goes back to the past.

2:18am: Amarendra Bahubali ... Growing up under guardianship of Sivagami ... He builds special bond with Kattappa.

2:20am: Amarendra Bahubali and Bhallaladeva are now grown up. Sivagami decides to make one of them the king.

2:23am: Prabhas as mighty Bahubali is looks mighty, massive, manly and mega…..

2:26am: Bhallala deva tries to kill Baahubali

2:31am: As the story unfolds with stunning visuals and marvelous taking, finding it difficult to write…. It is one such moment, when senses go numb and author gets dazed.

2:33am: Massive fighting scene happening before me. Kalakeya forces and Bahubali test their strength. Wow… no words to express.

2:22am: Another surprise…. Rajamouli in a cameo. This is perhaps his ‘in-front-of-the camera’ appearance. He has just one dialogue: Dabbunda?

2:35am: Actual get-up of Amarendra Bahubali revealed... The movie enters a different phase. Grand battle scenes… superbly choreographed, stunningly picturised.

2:39am: Amazing fight sequence with brilliant war strategy unfolding before me. Reminds me of Hollywood mythological.

2:45am: Keeravani and Rajamouli combo gives great scenes and equally great music to match. What epic movie!

2:48am: Audience speechless, breathless and delirious. Great scenes unfolding before them. They are stunned, shocked, stupefied and benumbed by what is unfolding before them.

2:52am: Kalakeyas have upper hand so far.

2:54am: Inspiring exhortation by Bahubali in the middle of the battle. Inspiring speech…. Talks of death and immortality. “Edi Maranam?” he challenges his men.

2:59am: Amarendra Bahubali, Bhallala Deva and Mahishmati score victory over Kalakeya forces.

3:01am: Sivagami pronounces Bhallala Deva as commander-in-chief and Bahubali as the king

3:03am: Savour this dialogue: Vanda mandini chamipite veerudantaaru... Okaadini kaapaadinaa Devudantaaru

3:04am: Sivudu told about Bahubali by Kattappa.

3:07am: What a dialogue: Katti potukanna... Ballem potukanna ... Daarunamainadi Vennupotu.

The movie is so stunning that I could’nt write anymore. The end is abrupt, leaves some unanswered questions. Some great scenes like the hand lifting the baby out of waters is missing. Is it reserved for the sequel? As I come out of the hall, I feel truly dazed. So big, so spectacular, so stunning. Rajamouli succeeded in bringing back life as it happened a thousand years ago and transported us into this make-believe Mayajaal world! Hats off Rajamouli!!