'Baahubali' Review Round-up: Rajamouli's Movie Gets Mixed Reviews from Telugu Critics

Director SS Rajamouli's magnum opus "Baahubali - the Beginning" (Baahubali), which released in theatres on 10 June, has received mixed reviews and rich ratings from the Telugu film critics.

"Baahubali - the Beginning" is a period movie, starring Prabhas, Rana Dagguabati, Ansuhka Shetty and Tamannaah Bhatia. Telugu critics say the movie has brilliant performances from the lead actors and brilliant production elements that are at par with Hollywood standards, but its poor scripting and slow-paced narration mars its beauty. The film has been rated an average 3.66 out of five stars.

Here is the round-up of "Baahubali" review:

IBTimes India Rating: 4

"Baahubali - The Beginning" is a fantastic period movie never made before in the history of Indian cinema. The movie boasts of an interesting storyline and sterling performances by the lead actors. The film surely catapults Indian cinema to international levels. It is a visual extravaganza, which no reviewer or critic can describe so easily in words. It should be watched in theatres to feel the extravaganza.

Idle Brain Ratings: 3.5

Though the film is good, just because film is ended without any completeness/roundness to it, it gave me a strange and incomplete feeling when I walked out of the theater. Greatest classics were told in 3 hour duration, but why can't Baahubali be made as one film? splitting one film into two (splitting both timelines as well) is not something which we are used to. It's a bold experiment in Telugu/Indian films. Plus points of the film are outstanding technical glitz, great characterizations, amazing sets and adrenaline-rushing action sequences. On the flipside, emotional connect is not strong enough (partly because movie is split into two parts). Baahubali is an attempt to up the ante and take Telugu movies to a higher level. Please watch it!

123 Telugu.com Ratings: 3.75

Baahubali is one film which every Indian movie lover can be extremely proud off. Right from the word go, this visual extravaganza treats you to some never before seen elements in Indian films. Prabhas's stunning avatar as Baahubali, brilliant art work to some eye topping visuals effects, this film has it all. Genius director Rajamouli, should be lauded and supported for his dedication in taking Telugu cinema to the next level. Finally, if you ignore the predictable story line and keep your expectations in check, Baahubali is bound to entertain you big time.

Great Andhra Ratings 3.25

With Baahubali, Rajamouli has not only dreamed big but has also raised the bar of Telugu cinema in terms of film making values. For more than two and half years, he has invested his mind, body and soul into this. The effort, the hard work, the dedication he has poured into this dream project is evident from the beginning of the movie. The scale, the canvas is huge. His execution is on international standards. He chose a weak folklore story to tell in gigantic manner rich with visuals.

AP Herald Ratings: 4

While the world sits up in anticipation of S S Rajamouli's ambitious, 160 odd crore period — drama, it's got to be said that Baahubali is a film of queer contradictions. Technically, it blasts open the hypotheses of cinema and goes where few have attained earlier. There is enough here that will excite and beatify fans. But there's also a lot in it that exacerbates normal crowd. For a visually game-changing film, Rajamouli opts for a folklore and love story that are way too common and at times, even moth-eaten. There's an overall lack of feelings in Baahubali. With that said, maybe a duology is just too much to ask of "Baahubali", and hopefully Baahubali – the conclusion will be more superior to the part one.

The Hindu Review

Baahubali is several notches higher than a regular Telugu film. But it was meant to be a game changer, not a regular film. If a spellbinding saga is what you go looking for, some portions can leave you underwhelmed. The writing could have been better. Yet, there's so much to root for.