Bāhubali: The Beginning

An elderly woman emerges from a cave beneath a mountain carrying an infant. As she attempts to cross a raging river, she is swept away, and the baby seems doomed. She prays to Lord Shiva to spare the child for the sake of Mahishmati, and the Amburi tribe rescues the infant; Sanga adopts him and names him Siva.

Siva grows up to be ambitious and mischievous, driven by a stubborn desire to ascend the mountain. His mother begs him to be patient, but he keeps failing to scale the peak and proves stubborn in his mischief. The longing to reach higher powers and prove himself shapes his youth.

As a young man, Siva displays superhuman strength by lifting a lingam of Lord Shiva and carrying it to the mountain's foot. A mask falls from above, and he realizes it belongs to a woman. Intrigued, he vows to discover the mask's owner and learn its story.

Climbing to the mountain's summit, Siva encounters Avantika, a member of a resistance movement. He learns they strive to overthrow the tyrant Bhallaladeva and to rescue the captive Devasena. Siva is captivated and pledges himself to their cause.

Siva decides to commit to Avantika's cause and departs for Mahishmati. Disguised as a palace guard, he infiltrates the royal complex and joins the mission to free Devasena. The journey becomes a personal quest for justice and belonging.

Inside the palace, Siva distracts Bhallaladeva and frees Devasena. Bhallaladeva sends his son Bhadra and the slave general Kattappa to pursue him. A fierce confrontation ends with Siva beheading Bhadra, as the Amburi and the resistance arrive to witness the turning point.

Seeing Siva's face, Kattappa swears allegiance to ‘Baahubali’ and immediately reveals his true identity as Mahendra Baahubali. He explains that the woman who saved the infant was Queen Sivagami, his grandmother. The revelation ties Siva to a storied royal lineage and a grand past.

The narrative shifts to the past: Amarendra Baahubali, the son of King Vikramadeva, grows under Sivagami’s regency with Bhallaladeva as his rival. Baahubali earns the people’s love with his leadership, while Bhallaladeva remains hungry for power. During a Kalakeya threat, Baahubali defeats the Kalakeyas, saves villagers, and is named heir apparent, while Sivagami designates Bhallaladeva as his commander.

In the Kalakeya war, Inkoshi insults Mahishmati and is captured alive at Sivagami's insistence. Bhallaladeva responds with ruthless slaughter, killing Kalakeyas and villagers, while Baahubali employs tactics to raise morale and protect the people. The kingmaker's choices tilt the fate of the realm toward Baahubali's lineage.

As a result of Baahubali's heroic deeds, Sivagami proclaims him heir to the throne, while Bhallaladeva becomes his commander. The two cousins emerge as rivals with opposing ambitions, setting the stage for future conflict within Mahishmati. The realm watches as the balance of power shifts between popularity and ruthlessness.

Back in the present, Siva and his adoptive family travel toward Mahishmati, hoping to meet Baahubali and witness the legend in person. The mission blends their personal quest with the larger history of the realm. The air is filled with anticipation and a sense that history is about to collide with the present.

A dejected Kattappa explains that Baahubali was killed by a traitor, revealing himself as the traitor. The admission reframes the heroic tale Siva has heard and shatters their belief in Baahubali's fate. The revelation leaves Siva and the others at a crossroads, facing questions of loyalty, justice, and vengeance.