Ten years ago, on July 10, 2015, a film arrived in theatres that would forever change the way Indian audiences experienced cinema. Baahubali: The Beginning, directed by SS Rajamouli, wasn’t just a film — it was the start of a legend.
Set in the imaginary kingdom of Mahishmati, the film introduced characters like Amarendra Baahubali, Mahendra Baahubali, Bhallaladeva, and Kattappa. With its stunning visuals and gripping story, the film earned over Rs 600 crore worldwide and gave Indian cinema a fresh, global identity.
But what many fans don’t know is how this epic story began with a single, emotional moment. In an earlier interview, Rajamouli shared that his father, screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad, had once described a powerful scene to him — a woman saving a baby and sacrificing her life. That woman would later become Sivagami, one of the film’s most iconic characters, played by Ramya Krishnan.
“There wasn’t a full story then, just that one scene,” Rajamouli recalled. Over time, other characters like Kattappa and Bhallaladeva came to life in his father’s imagination. “A few years before we started the film, we decided to bring them all together,” he added.
Rajamouli admitted that often storytellers aren’t sure where their ideas truly come from. “It stays in your head, mixes with other thoughts, and later becomes something unforgettable,” he said.
After the first film’s massive success, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion followed, making the two-film saga one of Indian cinema’s greatest triumphs. Even today, a decade later, the legend of Mahishmati lives on in the hearts of fans.
