Director S.S.Rajamouli doesn’t waste a moment to engage you and entertains you for every second of the 167 minute running time!

The film begins with a marble montage of the key events of the first installment. If you want to view part 2 as a spectacle then see it, but it is important to see part 1 to fully enjoy the story as a whole.

As soon as it starts, the film gets right to it. It was a pleasure to watch an Indian movie which moves things along with the blink of an eye, where we actually have to pay attention. Whether it was dramatic scenes or the stellar action, the timing and effects were exemplary.

The previous cast has left its mark, though this time round the story focuses on princess Devasena, the last one was on the warrior Avanthika. Prabhas and Rana Daggubati give us enthralling fight sequences, whilst Sivagami supports the proceedings with her eyes. The remaining characters do their bit to infuse humour, treachery and strength.

The scale of the film is larger than the first and is a fitting conclusion to the story. Embedding key references of scriptures, the film is full of symbolism. A visual treat and a quiz for the brain, the film is clean entertainment with just enough violence.

We were left with the gnawing question:
Kattappa ne bahubali ko kyun maara?
It is one spectacular answer to behold!

4/5