Critics’ Verdict: ‘Baahubali 2’ is Spectacular But Underwhelming

Before you book your tickets for ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’, take a look at what the experts have to say. (Photo courtesy: Dharma Productions) 

Film: Baahubali: The Conclusion
Director: SS Rajamouli
Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia, Anushka Shetty, Sathyaraj, Ramya Krishnan

Excerpts from reviews of Baahubali: The Conclusion:

It’s a fantasy film and it delivers on that promise. You are transported into the world of the kings and warriors, of brave men and petty politics. The film engages you so well that you will cheer for <i>Baahubali</i> every step of the way, and curse Sivagami for being blind to his noble ways and getting manipulated. The romance between Prabhas and Anushka is old world and appealing. What you expect is not what you get. You are thirsting for action and drama, and you are served romance for most part. And when the action does begin, it’s less than wow. Disappointingly, you can see the CGI coming a mile away. The moods and the moments are nowhere close to the first instalment of the film.

Sarita A Tanwar (DNA)&nbsp;

The action moves smoothly, even though the songs do slow down the narrative. You hardly feel the 171-minute running time, nor do you tire of seeing Prabhas and Anushka Shetty on the screen. Shetty, in particular, elevates the acting standard as the principled, independent, free-spirited princess Devasena who is dexterous with the bow and arrow. Her relationship with Baahubali leads to the most significant conflict in the plot. Story writer V Vijayendra Prasad takes the story back and then forward to bring us to the inevitable end of the epic fantasy. When the question “Why Katappa killed Baahubali” is answered, it’s no great revelation, but a slow build-up to Machiavellian trickery. But when you see the moment again, it is rather emotional.

Udita Jhunjhunwala (Scroll)

This film is blindingly flashy, overly dramatic and mightily entertaining (if you dig flying arrows, flashing swords and rogue bull-taming warriors). The actors go along with the frenzied flow of the story. Prabhas and Rana Daggubati are suitably muscular, Anushka Shetty is pretty and Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj and Nasser are excitable and prone to theatrics. It’s a world where everything is doled out in smothering bushels. Be very, very impressed! But are we? For all the stunning imagery that director S S Rajamouli and his army of VFX artists put on the screen, <i>Baahubali: The Conclusion</i> is ultimately only a lightweight yarn bolstered by technical inputs designed to dazzle and disarm the audience. When the key revelation about Kattappa’s treachery is sprung upon us, it does not catch us by surprise. Presented as a fait accompli, it is terribly underwhelming. But Rajamouli is an exceptional storyteller and craftsman. He packs just enough into this magnum opus for it not be dismissed merely as a hollow extravaganza. It is in excess that the strength of <i>Baahubali 2</i> lies and it makes no bones about it, take it or lump it.

Saibal Chatterjee (NDTV Movies)

Oh, boy! There’s so much to love about the film, even though your mind tells you that you’ve already come across stories like this in the past. Its beauty lies in the way the story is told and Rajamouli knocks it out of the park yet again. If Baahubali : The Beginning gave us a glimpse of Mahishmathi, the second part focuses on exploring psyche of its characters and how clash of ideologies can lead to devastating results. Every expression, even if it’s a tear drop, is highlighted and the camera holds still to make us sympathise with the characters even more. Truth be told, it’s hard to translate the experience of watching <em>Baahubali: The Conclusion</em> into words. We could talk about everything that we loved and didn’t like about the film in great detail, but still not come close to the effect film has on us. The film makes us want to be part of its world. Period!

Hemanth Kumar (Firstpost)