November 1, 2025: SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Epic, a remastered fusion of both original films, hit theatres on October 31 with a runtime of 3 hours and 47 minutes. But this isn’t just a longer cut, it’s a sharper lens. The re-edit subtly shifts the spotlight from the battlefield to the women who shaped its outcome.
Though the saga is framed around the rivalry between Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva, it’s Ramya Krishnan’s Sivagami and Anushka Shetty’s Devasena who emerge as the true architects of Mahishmati’s fate. Sivagami, the queen mother, is no longer just a regal figure — she’s a complex leader whose decisions carry the weight of empire and emotion. Her tragic misjudgment, manipulated by Bijjaladeva and Bhallaladeva, leads to Baahubali’s death. But her redemption arc, marked by humility and remorse, is one of the film’s most powerful turns.
Devasena, meanwhile, is a force of nature. She challenges patriarchy with grace and grit, refusing to be married off without consent and punishing injustice with her own sword. Her partnership with Baahubali is one of mutual respect, a rare portrayal of equality in epic cinema.
Tamannaah’s Avantika, once criticized for problematic romantic framing, is now nearly absent. The disrobing and stalking scenes have been removed, and her romance with Mahendra Baahubali is conveyed through voiceover and brief visuals. It’s a quiet but clear correction.
Friday’s box office delivered a vibrant mix of emotions and momentum. Baahubali: The Epic surged ahead with a powerful debut, Roi Roi Binale touched audiences with its final theatrical bow, and Thamma maintained its consistent performance across screens. Theatres across India came alive with this dynamic lineup.
Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Epic Returns with ₹10.4 Cr Day 1
Box Office Performance: The re-release opened to a strong ₹10.4 crore net in India on Day 1, setting a new benchmark for remastered films. With ₹12.35 crore domestic gross and ₹4 crore overseas, the worldwide total stands at ₹16.35 crore. Telugu-speaking regions led the charge, with high occupancy in cities like Hyderabad and Vizag.
Baahubali: The Epic isn’t just a visual upgrade, it’s a narrative evolution. By trimming the male gaze and amplifying the voices of Sivagami and Devasena, Rajamouli acknowledges what audiences sensed all along: the women were never supporting characters, they were the story.