Bāhubali: The Beginning

Shivudu is revealed to be Mahendra Baahubali, the son of Amarendra Baahubali. When Baahubali was killed by the traitor Kattappa, his pregnant wife Devasena was imprisoned. The infant was smuggled out of Mahishmati by Queen Sivagami, who carried him through a dangerous river. The baby was rescued by the Amburi tribe and raised as Siva in Amburi village, never knowing his royal lineage until Kattappa recognizes him by his face.

Siva's mysterious strength and his obsession with climbing the mountain hint at his heroic heritage.

Devasena was imprisoned because she refused to submit to Bhallaladeva after he killed her husband Baahubali and took control of Mahishmati. As the wife of the rightful heir, she was a threat to his rule. Bhallaladeva had her locked away to prevent anyone from using her to challenge his authority.

The backstory shows Bhallaladeva's ruthless ambition to seize the throne at any cost.

Kattappa was forced to betray Baahubali because Bhallaladeva threatened to kill Kattappa's own family if he refused. Kattappa was the slave general who served the royal family, and Bhallaladeva used this loyalty against him. The exact terms of the threat are revealed in the sequel.

The backstory shows Kattappa serving both Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, creating the tragic dilemma.

Siva infiltrated Mahishmati Palace by disguising himself as a palace guard. Once inside, he freed Devasena from her imprisonment while creating a distraction. During the escape, Bhadra (Bhallaladeva's son) pursued them, but Siva defeated and beheaded him. The Amburi tribe and resistance forces then arrived to support the rescue.

The mask Siva found earlier belonged to Avantika, connecting him to the resistance movement.

Baahubali was the son of King Vikramadeva and was chosen as heir because he earned the people's love through his heroic leadership. He defeated the Kalakeyas in war, saved villagers, and demonstrated exceptional courage. Queen Sivagami named him heir apparent over Bhallaladeva, despite Bhallaladeva being appointed commander.

The backstory shows the king's maker choosing between the two cousins, favoring Baahubali's noble character.

Amarendra Baahubali was killed by his own trusted general Kattappa, who was coerced by Bhallaladeva under threat to his family. After Baahubali's death, Bhallaladeva seized the throne, imprisoned Devasena, and ruled Mahishmati as tyrant for 25 years until Shivudu's arrival.

The backstory establishes the deep rivalry between the two cousins and Bhallaladeva's ruthless ambition.

Siva lifted the lingam to prove his worth and determination to reach the summit of the mountain. The lingam was extremely heavy, requiring superhuman strength, which demonstrated that Siva possessed extraordinary abilities beyond ordinary men. This act of devotion attracted the attention of those watching from above.

This display of supernatural strength foreshadows his true identity as Baahubali's son.

Bhallaladeva became tyrant because of his unchecked ambition for power. Even as a child under Sivagami's regency, he was jealous of Baahubali's popularity. When he was made commander instead of heir, he plotted against Baahubali, orchestrated his murder through Kattappa, and then took the throne by force, ruling oppressively.

The backstory shows Bhallaladeva's hunger for power growing alongside Baahubali's rising glory.

Queen Sivagami saved the infant because it was Baahubali's child. After Baahubali was killed, she smuggled the baby out of Mahishmati to protect it from Bhallaladeva, who would have killed the child to eliminate any claim to the throne. She carried the baby through a dangerous river, praying to Lord Shiva to spare it for the sake of Mahishmati.

Sivagami's actions show her secret loyalty to Baahubali's lineage despite her public position.

Avantika was a member of a resistance movement dedicated to overthrowing Bhallaladeva and freeing the captive Devasena. She had been fighting for 25 years to end Bhallaladeva's tyranny. When she met Siva on the mountain, she recruited him to join their cause to infiltrate Mahishmati and rescue the queen.

Her warrior princess identity and the mask she dropped earlier connect her to the larger rebellion.

Bhadra, Bhallaladeva's son, chased Shivudu because he was ordered to capture or kill whoever had freed Devasena. As the prince and enforcer of his father's regime, Bhadra led the pursuit through the palace corridors. Siva killed Bhadra in the confrontation, which became a major turning point in the battle.

The conflict represents the clash between Bhallaladeva's oppressive rule and those fighting against it.