The Story Behind Baahubali: Father and Son Team Rajamouli and Vijayendra Prasad

Introduction

The Baahubali film series is a monumental success in Indian cinema, combining epic storytelling with breathtaking visual effects. The stories that underpin these films are as rich and intricate as the architecture of their fictional kingdoms. At the heart of these narratives is a father-son team: S. S. Rajamouli and his father, V. Vijayendra Prasad. This article delves into the creative partnership that brought the Baahubali universe to life.

The Inspiration and Story Development

Director S. S. Rajamouli revealed that Baahubali is inspired by the epic Mahabharata. The story of the film was conceived by Rajamouli along with his father, K. V. Vijayendra Prasad, who also served as the co-writer. Vijayendra Prasad, known for penning the scripts of many of Rajamouli's films, once again wrote the story for Baahubali. The film's lasting impact can partly be attributed to the collaboration between these two filmmakers.

The inspiration for the story came when Vijayendra Prasad casually told Rajamouli a story about Sivagami, a woman who carries a baby in her hand while crossing a river, and later about Kattappa. This anecdote sparked Rajamouli's fascination with the tales of Mahabharata and Amar Chitra Katha, a popular Indian comic book series, and Chandamama, the illustrated story magazine. Despite the initial spark of creativity, it took the writers three months to complete the final draft. The result was a script that blended traditional Indian epics with modern cinematic techniques.

The Filmmaking Team

The success of Baahubali also owes much to the talented individuals behind the scenes. The soundtrack and background score were composed by M. M. Keeravani, who brought the emotional depth and grandeur of the story to life through his music. The cinematography, production design, and visual effects were handled by K. K. Senthil Kumar, Sabu Cyril, and V. Srinivas Mohan, respectively. These professionals contributed to the film's immersive and visually stunning experience.

The Production and Budget

The film was produced by renowned figures Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni under the banner of Arka Media Works. With a budget of 180 crore 28 million, it was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release. This significant investment ensured that every aspect of the film, from its narrative to its visual effects, was of the highest quality. The film opened worldwide on 10 July 2015, along with dubbed versions in Hindi and Malayalam, marking a major milestone in Indian cinema history.

R_critical and Box Office Success

Baahubali received universal acclaim for Rajamouli's direction, the story, visuals, cinematography, action sequences, music, and performances. The film's worldwide box office gross of 600–650 crore (93–101 million) made it the 5th highest-grossing film in India, the 9th highest-grossing Indian film globally, and the 3rd highest-grossing South Indian film. Its Hindi dubbed version also broke several records, becoming the highest-grossing dubbed film in Hindi of all time.

Accolades and Awards

Baahubali: The Beginning's Telugu version was the first Indian film to be nominated for the American Saturn Awards, where it received five nominations, including Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actress. It also received several other accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the National Award for Best Special Effects. At the 63rd Filmfare Awards South, it won five awards from ten nominations, including Best Telugu Film and Best Director - Telugu for Rajamouli and Best Supporting Actress - Telugu for Ramya Krishna.