Who is India’s Top 1 Movie? A 2000-Word In-Depth Look at Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)

Introduction: The Rise of Indian Cinema on the Global Stage

Indian cinema has produced thousands of films across multiple languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and more. From the golden age classics of Guru Dutt and Satyajit Ray to the commercial blockbusters of Bollywood and the rising pan-Indian films, the industry is rich with talent and diversity.

Yet, when one asks, “What is India’s No. 1 movie?”, a single title stands at the pinnacle of this cinematic mountain:
“Baahubali 2: The Conclusion” (2017), directed by S.S. Rajamouli.

With a compelling story, unforgettable characters, groundbreaking visual effects, and a box-office record that shook Indian cinema, Baahubali 2 is more than a movie—it’s a phenomenon. Let’s explore what makes this film India’s top cinematic achievement.

I. The Baahubali Phenomenon

Before diving into the sequel, it’s important to understand its foundation.
“Baahubali: The Beginning” (2015) introduced audiences to the kingdom of Mahishmati, its royal politics, and the hero Shivudu, who discovers his true identity as the son of the great warrior Amarendra Baahubali.

The first film ends on a massive cliffhanger:
“Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?”
This question became one of the most talked-about mysteries in Indian pop culture.

Two years later, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion hit theatres and broke every record imaginable.

II. Plot Summary: The Epic Saga Concludes

Act 1: The Past Unfolds

Baahubali 2 begins by continuing the flashback that started in the first film. Amarendra Baahubali (Prabhas), crowned as the future king, sets out on a tour of the kingdom. During this journey, he meets Devasena (Anushka Shetty), a warrior princess of Kuntala Kingdom, and falls in love with her.

When Baahubali proposes marriage, the cunning Queen Mother Sivagami (Ramya Krishnan), manipulated by her son Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati) and his father Bijjaladeva, feels betrayed. Instead of marrying Devasena into the kingdom’s royalty, Sivagami insults her, leading to a political and emotional rupture.

Sivagami, blinded by manipulation, declares Bhallaladeva the new king and asks Baahubali to step down. Baahubali accepts but stays loyal to the people.

Act 2: Betrayal and Death

Even after giving up his throne, Baahubali remains the people’s hero. This threatens Bhallaladeva’s rule. Through a series of conspiracies and false allegations, Bhallaladeva turns Sivagami completely against Baahubali.

In a heartbreaking moment, Kattappa (Sathyaraj), the loyal commander, is ordered to kill Baahubali—and he obeys. Baahubali dies not in battle, but by betrayal.

This moment finally answers the film’s central mystery.

Act 3: Revenge and Justice

In the present timeline, Baahubali’s son Mahendra Baahubali (Shivudu), who has learned the truth, rallies the oppressed people of Mahishmati and wages war against Bhallaladeva.

In a spectacular climax, Shivudu defeats Bhallaladeva and restores justice. Devasena, now an elderly queen, kills Bhallaladeva by setting him on fire—symbolizing the burning of tyranny and revenge fulfilled.

Mahendra Baahubali is crowned king, and peace is restored to Mahishmati.

III. Characters: Heroism, Honor, and Conflict

1. Amarendra / Mahendra Baahubali (Prabhas)

Prabhas delivers a dual role with power and grace. As Amarendra, he’s noble, charismatic, and a true leader. As Mahendra, he’s passionate, youthful, and vengeful. Prabhas’s commanding screen presence anchors the entire saga.

2. Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati)

A classic villain with immense strength, cunning intelligence, and ruthless ambition. Rana’s portrayal adds depth—he’s not evil for no reason; he craves power and recognition over love and honor.

3. Devasena (Anushka Shetty)

Unlike typical portrayals of royal women, Devasena is a warrior, an archer, and a queen with dignity. Her character arc—from a fierce princess to a humiliated captive to a revengeful mother—is emotionally powerful.

4. Sivagami (Ramya Krishnan)

The queen mother is both noble and flawed. Ramya’s powerful performance shows a woman trying to balance love, politics, and tradition—but failing due to misplaced trust.

5. Kattappa (Sathyaraj)

A tragic character torn between loyalty to the throne and love for Baahubali. His internal struggle forms the emotional core of the betrayal. Sathyaraj’s nuanced performance won hearts across India.

IV. Visuals and Technical Mastery

1. Direction (S.S. Rajamouli)

Rajamouli redefined Indian filmmaking. His vision combined the grandeur of Hollywood epics with deep-rooted Indian mythology. He handled scale and emotion with equal finesse, delivering both awe and heartbreak.

2. Visual Effects (VFX)

Baahubali 2 set a new benchmark for Indian VFX. From massive battlefields to mythical cities, flying chariots to war elephants, every frame was a visual spectacle. The film’s CGI work was comparable to global standards.

3. Art Design and Costumes

The sets of Mahishmati, Kuntala, and warzones were stunning. Costume designers created royal attires with traditional motifs that balanced fantasy and authenticity.

4. Action Sequences

Whether it’s the flaming chariot chase, the war with invaders, or the final duel, the action was innovative, high-stakes, and beautifully choreographed.

V. Music and Score

Composer: M.M. Keeravani (a.k.a. M.M. Kreem)

The soundtrack enhanced every emotion.

“Saahore Baahubali” became a patriotic anthem.
“Kannaa Nidurinchara” was soulful and heart-wrenching.
Background Score: The drums, chants, and orchestration created grandeur, emotion, and tension in perfect balance.

VI. Themes and Symbolism

1. Duty vs. Desire:

Baahubali chooses duty over power. Kattappa chooses duty over love. These choices drive the narrative’s most tragic moments.

2. Betrayal and Loyalty:

Every major plot point stems from loyalty—both its beauty and its dark side. Kattappa’s betrayal is not born of hatred but obedience.

3. Female Strength:

Devasena and Sivagami are not passive. They speak, fight, command, and influence the fate of empires.

4. Justice and Revenge:

The film doesn’t glorify violence, but it uses revenge as a means to restore justice. Mahendra’s war is not for power—it’s for truth.

VII. Box Office and Records

Global Box Office Gross: ₹1800 crore (~$250 million)
Highest Grossing Indian Film (at the time)
First Indian film to gross over ₹1000 crore worldwide
Broke opening day records in India and overseas markets (USA, UAE, Japan)

It was released in multiple languages: Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, and became a pan-Indian blockbuster, showing the unifying power of storytelling.

VIII. Critical Acclaim

National and International Praise:

Critics praised its storytelling, scale, and performances.
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% (Critics)
IMDb: 8.2/10
Won multiple National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards South

International Media Coverage:

Major publications like The Guardian, New York Times, and BBC wrote about Baahubali’s unprecedented success and its impact on global cinema.

IX. Cultural Impact and Legacy

1. Pan-Indian Cinema Trend:

Baahubali 2 proved that language barriers could be broken. Telugu cinema found audiences across India and abroad. It opened the doors for films like Pushpa, RRR, KGF, and Kantara.

2. Merchandising and Spin-offs:

From animated shows to comic books, games to merchandise, Baahubali became a brand. There’s even talk of a web series and theme park.

3. National Pride:

It redefined what Indian films could achieve—not just in storytelling but in production scale. For many, it symbolized India’s potential to create cinema on par with Hollywood epics.

**X. Why Baahubali 2 Is India’s No. 1 Movie**

Historic Box Office Success
Universal Appeal Across Languages
Strong Performances and Unforgettable Characters
Emotional Depth and Spectacular Action
Pathbreaking Visual Effects
Inspired a New Era of Pan-Indian Cinema

While India has many cinematic masterpieces—like Sholay, Mughal-e-Azam, Lagaan, 3 Idiots, and Dangal—no film had quite the same impact across so many levels as Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.

Conclusion: The King of Indian Cinema

So, Who is India’s No. 1 Movie?
It’s “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion”—a film that shattered records, won hearts, inspired generations, and united a nation through storytelling.

It’s not just a film; it’s a celebration of Indian imagination, courage, and cinematic excellence.
As Rajamouli proved, when you dream big—and tell your story well—the whole world watches.