Presenting The Shot-By-Shot Trailer Breakdown Of SS Rajamouli's Baahubali The Conclusion!

With inputs from Srujan Malladi The trailer of the much awaited "Baahubali - The Conclusion" is finally here. It is currently setting YouTube records on fire thanks to the speed at which it is clocking in views. If you haven't seen it yet (have you been hiding under a rock?), check it out before we go any further. Now that you have experienced the adrenaline rush of this trailer, let us try and break it down to understand it a little better. This is purely an academic exercise, so it is a little on the longer side, time to grab your popcorn while you read this. You may also find some spoilers ahead, so DO NOT READ THIS ARTICLE any further if you hate spoilers. We tried analysing several aspects of this movie in previous articles. There are 78 shots on this trailer's timeline, let us take a moment to look at each shot. This is purely my observation and stuff that I have deduced from it. I may be completely wrong, or absolutely spot on. 1. K RAGHAVENDRA RAO B.A : SSR's mentor and the presenter of this epic gets the first shout out in this.

2. Producer credits, the hidden pillars behind this magnum opus of a project.

3. We enter into the kingdom of Maahishmathi. The city is revealed from the top angle. It looks like it is very late in the night, but there is a lot of crowd, wonder what’s keeping the people of Maahishmathi awake so late.

4. The crown of Maahishmathi. The hand on it looks as though someone is taking a pledge on it. Right on cue, Amarendra Baahubali's voice starts reciting his pledge as the king. In a previous article we discussed that Bhalla became king before Amarendra died. But now, we can hear Amarendra taking his oath as King, and I think that the hand belongs to Bhallala. So we have very contradicting evidence on our hands and all of this can only lead us into very interesting drama between these amazing characters.

5. The people of Maahishmathi are fearfully looking up at something. Wonder what transpired there. What could have inspired so much fear & sadness in the people? Also, if you observe the Guy with the black beard in the foreground is the same guy from the rope incident near the interval scene in ‘The Beginning’.

6. A bloody hand, looking at the bangles and the ring, the hand definitely belongs to Sivagami is shown touching someone's feet. It is possible that Sivagami is touching the feet of Devasena before she leaves the kingdom with Mahendra Baahubali. Why would she want to do that? Well there are several theories. She might be feeling responsible for having put Devasena through this predicament.

7. Kattappa dragging his blood dripping sword along the steps. Dragging your sword is a sign of dejection and disappointment. Is Kattappa returning to the palace after stabbing Baahubali?

8. A teary eyed Sivagami. She looks up in surprise, probably a reaction to some shocking revelation.

9. A baby's little hand falls into a woman's as if making a promise. The baby has to be Mahendra Baahubali. Mahendra's hand falls into what could be Devasena’s hand right when Baahubali's voice over finishes making his pledge. This could be the scene where Devasena is taking a promise from Sivagami, to save the kid by escaping the Kingdom.

10, 11. Kattappa stabs Amarendra Baahubali in the back. Yes, we all remember this one.

12. A quick recap of what transpired in Baahubali part 1, Several shots flash by in a blaze. About 22 shots in a span of 4 seconds. Let us just call this whole bit the recap shot. Also, if you observe, all of these shots are from the 2nd trailer of ‘Baahubali : The Beginning’

13. Kattappa placing little Mahendra's foot on his head as a symbol of his servitude to the family. We saw this scene as a flashback shot, when Kattappa placed the leg of Mahendra Baahubali on his head during the rain fight in ‘The Beginning’.

14. Sivagami holds up Mahendra and screams out his name, MAHENDRA BAAHUBALI! Probably announcing the arrival of an heir to the people of the city. Waiting to watch how this scene plays out in the movie.

15, 16. Two shots are shown cutting over each other as the music picks up. One shot is of a bloody Sivudu from the the recently released 10 sec teaser. The other is a shot of Bhallala Deva walking. From the looks of it, the location might be the place where Kattappa stabs Baahubali. Was Bhalla at the scene when Amarendra Died? This is getting big now.

17. The Prodigal Son Returns: The people of the city just want to cling on to the heir of their beloved Baahubali. This could be the scene when Sivudu manages to enter Maahishmathi in the end.

18. Sivudu looks up in a fiery rage. Wounds indicate that he's been in a fight recently.

19. ARKA Mediaworks Logo.

20. An Aerial shot of a beautiful castle. This could be capital of Kunthala Kingdom. The palace is surrounded by luscious greenery and step-farming activities which is in sharp contrast to the rocky nature of Maahishmathi. Also, Maahishmathi is built out of sandstone, while the Kunthala kingdom seems to built out of white rocks (marble, granite) found in the mountains which are surrounding their Kingdom. Also, observe the huge wall around the city. We'll talk more on this later.

21. The idyllic prince, Amarendra, just out on a stroll in the Paddy fields in Kunthala. This gives us some more evidence that Agriculture might be the main occupation of Kunthala. But why is he out here? Is he looking for someone?

22. Devasena's reveal. This is another shot from the first making videos that were released.

23. Amarendra seems to be looking at something, transfixed. Probably admiring Devasena.

24. Now we know what Amarendra was looking at. Devasena battling it out with a few miscreants.

25. Amarendra casually, strolling towards Devasena, fiddling with his axe. Funny how both Amarendra & Mahendra see their love interests for the first time in a fight scene.

26. A beautifully composed move, gracefully executed. Definitely a song sequence, in what seems to be a white boat.

27. Zoom in to get a closer look at the most awaited romance between Amarendra & Devasena.

28. A Magnificent shot. The CGI work has improved by leaps and bounds from the first film. The white swan mast ship could belong to the Kunthala kingdom (Their Kingdom’s symbol is the swan). From the making videos, we can deduce that the elephant on the right is one of two huge structures that support an overhead bridge. This could also be the entrance to Maahishmathi’s harbor. Probably someone from Kunthala bearing gifts is paying Maahishmathi a visit.

29. A scene of some great celebration. If you observe, every corner of the palace is packed with people, except for the walkway which leads to the throne. Could this be the scene of Baahubali's coronation where he takes the pledge which we heard as a voice over?

30. The doors of Maahishmathi's royal court open as if inviting us into their magnificent palace.

31. A bejeweled Devasena is surrounded by Maahishmathi's armed guards. They look as though they are approaching to arrest her for some reason. Baahubali to the rescue. Amarendra leaps in to protect Devasena.

32. Bhalla’s signature character moment. Subtle but remarkable expressions by Rana. Wonder what he is playing at here.

33. Amarendra Baahubali is running on what seems to be a dam. The dress matches the recently unveiled Anushka & Prabhas character poster, where both of them were wearing dresses in shades of pink. He has hook-ended ropes in both his hands. Is he chasing someone? Is he looking to destroy the dam? Is he trying to stop someone from destroying the Dam? Is it really a dam? SO MANY QUESTIONS.

34. Sivagami has just fearfully realized something. "Antharyuddham" Is she sensing a rebellion brewing? A civil war perhaps? She herself prevented an internal war in “The Beginning’ when she killed ‘Marthanda’ by giving him a dose of ‘Rajathantram’. So we know Maahishmathi always had internal conflicts, only this time things may have spiraled out of control.

35. Soldiers preparing for war. Falling into lines in typical military discipline.

36. It is definitely a younger Kattappa in the background. Amarendra’s dress matches up with shot 33. So it is pretty evident that this scene is happening in Kunthala (we saw of poster of Amarendra and Devasena with Amarendra in this same costume). Did Kattappa leave Maahishmathi in a disguise only to deliver this message to Amarendra? If yes, then that must’ve been very crucial information which cannot be entrusted with anyone and had to deliver it himself. Looks like things are getting serious now.

37. Devasena in battle mode. She seems to have been confronted by the oncoming horde of enemy soldiers. She might be defending an attack on her city. Since we saw Kattappa telling something to Amarendra in the previous shot, is this the message which he was giving him? Did he come to warn them?

38. A city under attack. The wall looks like the boundary walls of Kunthala. So Devasena is actually defending her city.

39. A battle-worn & bloody Amarendra is assuring Kattappa that he cannot be killed by just anyone as long as he has Kattappa on his side. Epic elevation, since we all know who killed Amarendra.

40. Kattappa is taken aback. This may not be a continuation from the previous shot, but the shock value is still maintained thanks to this shot.

41. AN SS RAJAMOULI FILM! And here is the director’s name finally. The captain masterfully puts up his name here, at the best possible moment.

42, 43, 44. The war scenes begin. Sivudu leaps into battle. Followed by more war scenes. This could be the epic pre-climax war sequence. Sivudu's attack on Bhallala Deva's Maahishmathi. Trying to take back what is rightfully his.

45. Maahishmathi has been breached. The black smoke coming from the palace gates implies that they might have used canons to prevent the intrusion of Sivudu and his army. The chains have been cut away to open up the bridge entrance to Maahishmati.

46. Bhallala Deva in full battle armor hurling his spears like he means business. Bhallala's chariot seems to have gotten an upgrade this time around. There is an extra lion-head on his chariot. What are the odds that there is a third one on the other side?

47. The epic climax battle, Sivudu punching hard at Bhallala's bicep. Given the fact that these very chains were once used to tie up Devasena make this shot that much more epic.

48. We finally get our first and only shot of Avanthika in this trailer and she is engrossed in battle.

49. An old Kattappa during the final battle. He wears the horse sigil of Amarendra. Did the slave to the throne rebel against his own kingdom?

50. Another shot of Bhallala on his chariot. Yes, there is the third lion-head. Total upgrade this time, now there are 3 spinning metal fans on the end, surely increasing Bhalla’s bloodshed. And the hull seems to have got an upgrade as well with stronger wood and chains which hold everything in place. Also, the chariot is being pulled the wild bulls that he loves to tame.

51. Sivudu gives out a war cry. Probably right after an inspiring speech cheering his soldier before the siege.

52. Sivudu leaping into battle again. Looks similar to shot 42.

53. Maahishmathi's forces, wearing orange, riding out to meet the challenger Sivudu's forces.

54. A furious Bijjala Deva venting out his anger on the wall nearby. Now you know why Bhalla is so freakishly strong.

55. Maahishmathi's cavalry, in orange, leaping over the defending barricade of Sivudu's army.

56. The feral scream in the background perfectly positioned over these soldiers' efforts to keep the enemy out is fantastic.

57, 58, 59, 60, 61. Time for your first glimpses at the epic face-off between Bhallala & Sivudu. Sure enough, sparks seem to be flying everytime they come in contact. Watch as the ground crumbles beneath Sivudu bearing the brunt of Bhallala's attack. Sivudu retaliates in kind.

62. Sivudu uses the whip to spur his horse on. He seems to be teary eyed & angry. Wonder what could have happened there.

63. A Maahishmathi cavalry soldier comes falling through the air.

64. Bhallala does what he does the best, impaling people with his spear.

65, 66. Sivudu drops down from the elephant guarding the palace. He catches a flying hammer and jumps down into the crowd. If you notice, the bridge is pulled up blocking the entrance for his army. Sivudu seems to be trying to breach Maahishmathi.

67. The arrow launcher, fires a few volleys of arrows.

68. Sivudu spreads his arms out and faces the oncoming volley of arrows, fearless. Sivudu the unrestrained.

69, 70. Sivudu in action. This promises to be a high intensity sequence.

71. Bhallala charging in with a broken mace. Now that is sure to catch your attention. This is the kind of battle that was only described in great Indian epics.

72. Again we are taken back to the spot where Kattappa stabs Baahubali. Is this after or before the stabbing? Amarendra seems to be ordering Kattappa to do something that he doesn't want to. We need to wait another month to find out WKKB.

73. This one is from the 10 sec teaser. A blood faced Sivudu can mean only one thing, an epic climax fight.

74. Typical of a Rajamouli film, the hero falls down, and just when all hope seems lost, he springs back with greater intensity. This looks like something of that kind. Intensity in Prabhas' eyes is just amazing.

75. Baahubali - The conclusion! Title animation. The metallic grunge font from has been retained. This time around, the '2' in the logo has hot lava flowing in it. Signifying a fiery conclusion to this two part epic.

76. An epic final face-off. Bhallala Deva seems to be gasping for breath. Is he nearing his end?

77. April 2017. The release date. Yes, you need to wait for that much longer.

78. Crediting all those who worked on this epic of a film.

This was just what we observed in the trailer. There is a lot about the story that you can deduce from all of this. We will do more of that later. For now, go watch the trailer one more time and try to observe these details. Meanwhile, we also did a reaction video about how people make reaction videos on trailers. Do check it out.