SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali changed the scale of Indian cinema, setting new standards in storytelling, action and visual effects. While the franchise became a massive success, Rana Daggubati has now spoken about the intense effort that went into bringing it to life, revealing the physical and mental strain he experienced during its making.

In a recent interview, Rana shared that it’s difficult to point out just one scene that was exhausting, as the entire process was demanding. He said, “We shot that for like six years or something. So most of those were like that. It’s not about one scene because, at that point, we were discovering how to make that film as well. It was not like we had so many war films being made. It was not like car action choreographers or visual effects were up to that mark. It was pushing everyone’s boundaries. It needed a master like Rajamouli and a team that came together for that vision. Usually, in a film, we can’t last for that long in our minds.”

He added that staying committed to a single project for nearly six to seven years was itself a huge achievement, especially while attempting something so ambitious and new for Indian cinema.

Rana also spoke about his transformation into Bhallaladeva and how different he looked. He recalled, “Not the hot guy. My physicality changed. So I was coming back from the States, and I thought, would they recognise me now because I look so different from the guy who left? And the first person who recognised me was an immigration officer who was African-American. I took my mask off. He said, ‘Wow, that’s King Bhallaladeva.’ I said that’s it, boss. This film is ageing beautifully, and that’s four or five years after the film. So, I think cinema is forever. It creates an impact that doesn’t go off.”

About Baahubali

The Baahubali journey began in 2015 with Baahubali: The Beginning, an epic fantasy directed by SS Rajamouli. The film starred Prabhas in a dual role, alongside Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj and Nassar. The film earned widespread acclaim for its scale, performances and groundbreaking visuals, and became the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time.

Its sequel, Baahubali: The Conclusion, achieved even greater success, turning into a massive box office phenomenon. The film remains one of the highest-grossing Indian movies ever, with a worldwide collection of around ₹1,788 crore.

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