A nod to Baahubali's nods!

This post on Baahubali is coming really late. It's almost 6 weeks since the release and every person, his grandma and the family pets have seen, discussed and analysed it to death. But I had to write my 2 cents. You see...There was no choice. I was going crazy. I do not know if S.S. Rajamouli really intended half (dare I say 3/4th) the population to go crazy with the drama, the story line, the action sequences or the sheer magnificence of the characters. But he can be sure that the impact of the movie will last for some years to come! 

The subtle villainy of Bhallaldev, the open animosity of Bijjaladev, the majesty of Sivagami Devi, the sharp-tongue and intelligence of Devasena and the strength and vulnerability of Amarendra Baahubali provide Rajamouli with bold colours and he has created magic on canvas. You may notice that I don't really mention Mahendra Baahubali here. You could say his unique character as his impulsiveness and the carefree attitude (which we get through Part 1). But he fails to make much impact in your mind other than as a tool in the end to finish off Bhallaldev. Probably that was how it was intended.Let's face it. It would be too difficult to fill the giant shoes of Amarendra Baahubali. 

Amarendra or in my mind Baahubali, brings class to anything he does; subduing a marauding elephant without mistreating it (He lovingly pats the animal!), tackling a mercenary army with ingenuity, handling a coward with great dignity, teaching a warrior princess to use more than one arrow with just two quick steps, telling the Queen mother (though he worships her!) straight on the face that she did wrong,... and how can you forget his stoic marching and oath taking. 

In the grand scheme of things, some small yet high impact gestures are forgotten or overlooked. But when you have seen a movie 5 times or more like me, you start noticing minute things that you didn't earlier. That's how I noticed these nods in the movie(s). 

Baahu's 1st nod to Bhalla 

This is in Baahubali the Beginning. Baahu and Bhalla go searching for the spy who trades Mahishmati's military secrets with the Kalakeya. Amarendra literally takes a leap of faith with the rope in Bhalla's hand and catches the spy. It makes you mad to think that this guy is so innocent that he has no inkling of Bhalla's treachery. Of course we need to applaud the characterization of Bhalla, the consummate villain who keeps his head low and waits for the right time to reveal himself. Right after he gets pulled up, Baahu places his hand on Bhalla's shoulder and nods his head. No words exchanged! It is as if Baahu's saying 'Thanks for doing that dude..' and Bhalla's nod, 'Don't mention it!' Alas! If only he knew what was going inside that cunning mind just a minute back!

Baahu's 2nd nod to Bhalla 

This is again from Part 1. In the Kalakeya War, Baahu's focus is more on the insult to his mother from the Kalakeya chief and less on the race to the throne with his brother. Right when he is about to carry out Sivagami's wishes, Bhalla's chain mace arcs through the air and 'thump', the chief is history! Almost everyone rooting for Baahu stops breathing... including us! We think, why oh why didn't Baahu just finish him up when he had the chance. But what does Baahu do? A nod again! You see a wealth of emotion there. That nod and the smile tells, 'I'm glad you finished him off Bhalla! He will never again talk like that about mother.' 

Both the nods reinforce how straitlaced the guy is! He thinks Bhalla is just like him!

Baahu's nod in Kunthala Desam to Kattappa

Though this is not exactly a nod, the gesture is so captivating that I had to include it (Thanks to MV, an even crazier fan of Baahubali than me for pointing out!). In Baahubali the Conclusion, when Devasena is singing 'Kanna Nidurinchara' to make Baahu aka Shivu the simpleton sleep, he gives a completely mischievous and delightful smile to Kattappa and does a gesture like, 'Now what do you say? She does like me!!' (That's there on the blog banner!) 

Baahu's nod in Mahishmati Raja Sabha

When Baahu returns to Mahishmati with Devasena in tow, before getting his blessings from the Queen mother, he turns and stops Devasena with a look, as if to say, 'Please wait here'.She stops immediately.It's beautiful how their minds are synced by then. He then takes his place beside his mother. The inner circle of soldiers give him the royal salute and then... there is a nod. A quick nod that accepts the salute and establishes that he is the crown prince, every inch of him!

Bhalla's nod to Bijjaladev

Though we are looking at Baahu's gestures, this one nod from Bhalla takes the prize for impact! That god-awesome scene where Bhalla steals the show with no dialogues. When he presses his dad's shoulder it shows without a doubt that he is the one pulling strings and not his father. He gauges perfectly how the Queen Mother will react if Baahu sides with Devasena. His nod when he deems the time ripe for Bijjaladev to speak, is picture perfect wickedness!

Baahu's nod to Kumara Varma in the 'Seemantham'

In the baby shower, when Sivagami rebuffs Baahu, his face crumples in pain. The sharp words immediately after that from Bijjaladev is like adding fuel to the fire. Just then, Kumara Verma comes in and applies balm to Baahu's aching soul with his presence and words. Baahu gives a cute nod then acknowledging Kumar's words of praise and hugs him. There is relief in that nod 'Okay, I need not act happy in front of Devasena!' and a genuine happiness that Kumar has come into his own. 

Baahu's nod to the Mahishmathi people

This is my most favourite ever nod in Baahubali. When Sivagami banishes Baahu and Devasena from the palace, everyone is left speechless. The hero in this scene is surely the music! M.M. Keeravani has woven magic throughout the entire movie with his background score and music. But this scene is something special as the BGM makes you want to mourn for the king who would never sit on the throne. Baahu and Devasena come out to the palace courtyard where the people have gathered in thousands to see their banished prince. When one of the men says 'Be happy! God himself is coming to stay with us!', Baahu gives a beautiful nod and removes his jewels. There is so much love and acceptance in that gesture. Love for his people and acceptance for his mother's decision. 

His final nod

Baahu's final nod is also very heart wrenching as we know the guy is going to die soon. He seems the happiest in this scene, running carefree with the kids in the village. When the kids rush in to eat food from his plate, he happily gives it away without bothering with his hunger. An elderly woman in the community offers her food and he gives a kind nod to her implying that she feed him. All the women jump at this chance to feed their beloved prince. The camera pans at all their faces and they show such a depth of emotion in their faces that it chokes you. Well, it chokes me up every time!

There are other nods, like for example there is one from Devasena, that is childlike and completely uncharacteristic of the princess. It is very haunting as you already know that she would never smile like that again. This is when Baahu finally feels the baby moving in her belly, she bobs her head in delight.

Baahubali is one movie that made me as giddy as a teenager in recent years. You can't help fall a little in love with the wonderful Amarendra Baahubali, every time you watch him. He is the perfect son, the perfect prince, the perfect husband! In short, the perfect man! 

My nod to you, Baahu and all who created you! Jai Mahishmathi!