Breaking down Baahubali 2: Five theories that emerge from SS Rajamouli's epic trailer

Fans cannot get enough of the trailer of Baahubali: The Conclusion. Of all the adjectives attached to it, epic seems to be the most apt for the scale, intricacy and action depicted in the trailer of SS Rajamouli's film.

Carrying on from the conclusion of Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), the trailer promises to unravel the mystery behind Prabhas's character Baahubali's death, and the final battle between Rana Daggubati's menacing Bhallala Deva and Prabhas's Shivudu. There is also the mania surrounding the question, 'Why did Katappa kill Baahubali?'

While the trailer does not reveal everything, it does bring up certain important plot points that might be key to the finale of Rajamouli's epic. We decided to take a closer look at the trailer and came up with some theories. If you have not watched the first film yet (why are you even reading this?), you might want to stop right here as there are spoilers galore ahead.

1. The revenge of Devasena 

While the entire frenzy might be around the male characters of Baahubali, Bhallala Deva and Katappa, it is Devasena who is key to the conclusion. From the first shot of the trailer, an unknown hand taking a blood oath on the crown, to the sight of the queen fighting by herself in the halls of the king's court, it is clear she is out for revenge. 

Another scene that deserves attention is the sight of Baahubali jumping to the rescue of a surrounded Devasena in court. Why is Devasena being threatened by courtiers in Baahubali's presence? Who gave the order?

That got you thinking, didn't it?

2. The battle for the throne 

This scene showing a mysterious shadow wearing the crown of Maahishmati and walking out of the fire is a huge Easter egg in the trailer. At first sight, it looks like the massive physique of Rana Daggubati's Bhallala Deva. The setting is eerily similar to the fiery background in which Katappa kills Baahubali. The question is: why is Bhallala Deva wearing the crown? 

While Sivagami announces that Baahubali will take the throne of Maahishmati after the climactic battle in the first film, it is never known whether Prabhas's character does become king. Seeing how Baahubali is a free spirit who does not abide by traditions, is it possible he rejected the throne?

Though the trailer of the second film begins with Baahubali swearing to protect the people and kingdom of Maahishmati, there is no scene of him wearing the crown. In fact, the scenes of Prabhas travelling through a jungle, when he sees Devasena, have him dressed in ordinary attire very unlike a king. Is it possible that Baahubali left the kingdom to Bhallala Deva, only to be betrayed on his return? 

3. Why did Katappa kill Baahubali? 

This is the question that has been on everyone's lips since the cliffhanger conclusion of the first film. The confession by Katappa at the end of Baahubali: The Beginning left fans reeling, and made the wait for the second film unbearable. 

The trailer offers a glimpse of this mystery when Baahubali tells Katappa, 'As long as you are by my side, no one can kill me.'  The utterance of 'Antaryuddh' (civil war) by Sivagami, the queen mother, is an indication of the possible reason for Katappa's betrayal. A servant of the throne, Katappa has to follow the king's orders. If Bhallala Deva does indeed become king, Katappa must be faced with a difficult choice. 

4. The final battle between Bhallala Deva and Baahubali Jr 

This is the scene the entire film hinges on. Undoubtedly, the final climactic battle between Bhallala Deva and Baahubali's son has been building up since the first film. However, it is not going to be easy. The scene of Prabhas's character being assailed by a rain of arrows and the massive army formations suggest that this battle will match, if not exceed, the scale of the climactic battle in the first film. 

The second film will see Prabhas's Shivudu take on Daggubati's Bhallala Deva in an all-out war. The scenes look spectacular and even have Tamannaah Bhatia involved in the action. However, the key is the fistfight between Bhallala Deva and Mahendra Baahubali. 

5. The other kingdoms in the battle

Considering how the first film revolved around the internal workings of the Maahishmati kingdom, Baahubali: The Conclusion expands the scale to add more kingdoms on the map. The scene of the gigantic elephant and ships coming into the harbour is a sign of other kingdoms involved in the plot. Perhaps one of these kingdoms belongs to Devasena, Anushka Shetty's character. 

The scene of war breaking out at night, with Maahishmati's soldiers trying to invade another kingdom, is a curious one. Did Bhallala Deva invade Devasena's kingdom or is he waging a war on the tribals who later support Baahubali's son?

Baahubali 2 trailer: Leaked Malayalam version forces makers to release trailer before schedule

Despite all these questions, there is no doubt that expectations from this film have only doubled since the release of its trailer. Rajamouli's epic might just be on its way to breaking its own record and becoming one of the biggest films in Indian cinematic history.

Baahubali: The Conclusion is scheduled for theatrical release on 28 April.