Baahubali: The Beginning
UW Cinematheque 821 University Ave., UW Vilas Hall, Room 4070, Madison, Wisconsin
media release: India | 2015 | DCP | 151 min. | Telugu with English subtitles
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Cast: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty
A larger-than-life saga etched with the force of an ancient myth, Rajamouli’s mammoth sword-and-sandals epic changed the trajectory of Indian cinema. When a dashing young warrior discovers his royal heritage, he sets out to reclaim the throne from the corrupt regime. Boasting jaw-dropping battle sequences, searing melodrama, and spectacular filmmaking, the Baahubali films shattered Indian box-office records. Originally released in two parts separated by nearly two years of anticipation (an agonizing wait after The Beginning’s notorious cliffhanger), don’t miss this chance to experience the full Baahubali in one glorious binge, presented with a 20 minute intermission.
Admission is free, seating limited. No admission 15 minutes after scheduled start times.
Rajamouli: Myth, Spectacle, Cinema
On November 13-15, you can experience the visionary spectaculars of S.S. Rajamouli, the groundbreaking Indian filmmaker whose epic imagination has transformed the possibilities of contemporary commercial cinema. Spanning Eega, Baahubali: The Beginning, Baahubali: The Conclusion, and RRR, this series showcases Rajamouli’s signature blend of mythic storytelling, breathtaking action, emotional intensity, and larger-than-life world-building that has captivated audiences around the globe. The Baahubali films ignited the modern pan-Indian blockbuster movement, while RRR propelled Indian mass cinema onto the international stage, earning Rajamouli the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director in 2022 and winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Naatu Naatu.” Rajamouli’s movies provide an essential, communal theatrical experience, and represent a bold – and fun- new era of global cinema.
