Baahubali: The Conclusion (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #51 extract: Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017)

A definite improvement upon Baahubali: The Beginning, The Conclusion doesn't change much at all, it is simply structured differently. There is a 3 hour backstory that sits in the middle of what turns out to be a 5 hour story. The backstory is a classical tale of kings and deception, highly reminiscent of the classic Mughal-e-Azam. It is framed with a similar tone as Mughal-e-Azam, anchored down by the same themes, but given a more complex sense of drama and conflict and, of course, updated action sequences. Without equal directorial control and poise, this backstory does not trump Mughal-e-Azam. What's more it is cheapened greatly by the surrounding 2 hours - which sometimes feel like a ridiculous parody of the better parts of the film. 

With The Conclusion being two thirds backstory, it is the better film. The ending is a slight let down, but, overall Baahubali is great entertainment and maybe a classic in the making.