8 years of Baahubali 1: Eight little-known facts about Prabhas' path-breaking movie

Baahubali: The Beginning, directed by SS Rajamouli, was released in cinemas on this day eight years ago and it changed the way the movies are made in India. While the film achieved unprecedented success, there are several lesser-known facts that add another layer of intrigue to this cinematic masterpiece.

On the movie's 8th anniversary, here are 8 intriguing facts about Baahubali: The Beginning.

1) Record-Breaking Budget: Baahubali: The Beginning holds the record for being the most expensive Indian film ever made at the time of its release, with a budget of approximately Rs 180 crores.

Baahubali 1: SS Rajamouli wanted to shelve it and do a boxing film with Prabhas

2) Massive Sets: The film's production involved the creation of awe-inspiring sets, including the grandiose Mahishmati Kingdom, which was constructed on a massive scale to bring the fictional world to life.

3) Language Barrier: Baahubali: The Beginning was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil, with plans for a dubbed Hindi version. The film's seamless integration of multiple languages contributed to its widespread appeal.

4) Extensive Pre-Production: The pre-production phase of the film took over a year, involving meticulous planning and extensive research to ensure the authenticity of the storytelling and visual representation.

5) VFX Marvels: The film showcased groundbreaking visual effects, including the creation of breathtaking waterfalls, colossal battles, and stunning landscapes, pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema.

6) Historical Inspirations: Baahubali drew inspiration from various historical and mythological sources, with the story taking cues from the Mahabharata, Amar Chitra Katha comics, and even Rajamouli's own imagination.

7) Iconic Characters: The film introduced iconic characters like Amarendra Baahubali, Bhallaladeva, and Devasena, who left an indelible mark on the audience's hearts with their powerful portrayals.

8) International Recognition: Baahubali: The Beginning garnered international recognition by winning the Best Feature Film award at the 63rd National Film Awards and being selected for the 45th International Film Festival of India.

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect, while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.