Baahubali: The Epic — A Grand Tale Where Women Define the Destiny of Mahishmati

SS Rajamouli’s cinematic masterpiece ‘Baahubali: The Epic’, a remastered version combining both films into one spectacular 3-hour 47-minute experience, hit theatres on October 31, 2025. While the story has long been celebrated as a power-packed saga of two brothers — Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva — this reimagined edition makes one thing undeniably clear: the women of Mahishmati have always been at the heart of its empire.

Though Prabhas and Rana Daggubati dominate the battlefield, it is Ramya Krishnan’s Sivagami, Anushka Shetty’s Devasena, and Tamannaah’s Avantika who shape the very course of the kingdom’s destiny.

Sivagami: The Flawed Matriarch Who Defines Power

At the core of the ‘Baahubali’ universe stands Sivagami, the formidable queen mother portrayed with majestic depth by Ramya Krishnan. She rules not only with authority but with conviction — testing both Baahubali and Bhallaladeva to determine who deserves the throne. Yet, beneath her regal exterior lies vulnerability.

Sivagami’s greatest strength is also her flaw: her humanity. Her emotional decisions, clouded by misplaced trust in Bijjaladeva (Nasser) and Bhallaladeva, lead to tragic consequences — including the order to execute the very son she raised as her own. Her realization of this betrayal and her willingness to admit her mistake bring a rare tenderness to her otherwise iron-clad persona.

Devasena: The Voice of Feminist Strength

Anushka Shetty’s Devasena is the embodiment of courage, intellect, and independence. The princess of Kunthala Rajyam doesn’t just challenge the patriarchy — she dismantles it with grace and power. Whether confronting injustice in her kingdom or standing up to Sivagami’s decree, Devasena refuses to be silenced.

When Sivagami decides her marriage to Bhallaladeva without consent, Devasena’s retort — “How can you decide my life without my approval?” — becomes a defining moment for women’s agency in Indian cinema. She stands as Baahubali’s equal, not his subordinate, and fights for dignity and justice, both on and off the battlefield.

Avantika: A Redefined Character

Tamannaah’s Avantika, once the story’s most controversial figure, has undergone a thoughtful transformation in the remastered edition. In the original cut, scenes depicting Mahendra Baahubali disrobing her under the guise of romance drew widespread criticism for glorifying non-consensual behavior.

In ‘Baahubali: The Epic’, these problematic sequences are almost entirely removed. Avantika’s role as a warrior is preserved without diminishing her autonomy or identity. Her presence, though limited, now represents strength and purpose rather than objectification — a creative acknowledgment of her true spirit as a rebel fighter who never needed validation through romance.

The Women Who Shaped an Empire

With ‘Baahubali: The Epic’, SS Rajamouli has not merely remastered his magnum opus — he has reframed it. The focus now shifts from swords and rivalry to the emotional and moral core that has always driven the story: its women.

Sivagami’s command, Devasena’s conviction, and Avantika’s courage redefine Mahishmati’s power structure. While the men fought the wars, it was the women who determined why those wars were fought.