Baahubali: Before the Beginning
Baahubali: Before the Beginning is an upcoming Indian web television series based on Anand Neelakantan's 2017 and 2020 novels The Rise of Sivagami, Chaturanga and Queen of Mahishmathi, and is a Netflix original from India. A part of the Bahubali franchise, the series is directed by Deva Katta and Praveen Sattaru. It is produced by S. S. Rajamouli and Arka Media Works.[1] The first season consists of nine episodes[2] and acts as a prequel to Baahubali: The Beginning,[3] following the journey of Sivagami's rise to power in the Mahishmati kingdom.[4]
Baahubali: Before the Beginning | |
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Based on | The Rise of Sivagami, Chaturanga, Queen of Mahishmathi by Anand Neelakantan |
Written by | Deva Katta, Anand Neelakantan, PraSankar |
Directed by | |
Country of origin | India |
Original languages | English Hindi Tamil Telugu |
Production | |
Producers | |
Editors | |
Production company | Arka Media Works |
Distributor | Netflix |
Release | |
Original network | Netflix |
Chronology | |
Followed by | Baahubali: The Lost Legends |
Premise
The series follows Sivagami as she matures from a defiant and resentful girl into a wise queen, around the same time when the kingdom of Mahishmati rises from being a city-state to an influential empire.[5][6]
The series is intended to have six seasons, two seasons based on each book of the trilogy.
Cast
- Mrunal Thakur as Sivagami[7]
- Rahul Bose as Skandadasa[8]
- Atul Kulkarni as Pattaraya[7]
- Smaran Sahu as Bijjaladeva (Telugu) / Pingaladeva (Tamil)[9]
- Malyaban Lahiri as Simuka
- Sahib Verma as Shivappa[10]
- Sunil Palwal as Kattappa[9]
- Siddharth Arora as Mahadeva[11]
- Tej Sapru as Malayappa[12]
Snigdha Akolkar, Vaquar Shaikh, Jameel Khan, Anup Soni and Sonali Khare have been cast in undisclosed roles.[13][11][14]
Production
In March 2017, after the release of The Rise of Sivagami written by Anand Neelakantan, S. S. Rajamouli, the director of the two-part Baahubali films, confirmed that a television series will be made on the novel, comprising 13 episodes.[15] In November 2017, The Hans India reported that Deva Katta would direct a web series based on the world of Mahishmati.[16] In July 2018, Katta confirmed that he will co-direct a three-season Netflix original series, tentatively titled Shivagami.[17] The series, titled Baahubali: Before the Beginning, was announced in a public statement released by Netflix on 1 August 2018.[18] It was to be directed by Katta and Praveen Sattaru; Rajamouli will serve as a producer alongside Prasad Devineni under the Arka Media Works banner.[19] The announcement also revealed that the series was planned to have two seasons.[20]
Baahubali: Before the Beginning was the third Netflix original series announced from India after the crime thriller Sacred Games and horror miniseries Ghoul.[19] Erik Barmack, Vice-President of Netflix International Originals, felt that the theme of Baahubali "resonates globally", one of the reasons for considering the series.[21] On 2 August 2018, a teaser announcing the series was released online by Netflix both on their website and other social media platforms, including YouTube.[22] Rajamouli expressed his enthusiasm for the series, saying, "With Netflix as our partner, we have the opportunity to create a rich and riveting series and take this quintessential Indian epic to the world, which is very gratifying to me as a story-teller".[23] Neelakantan serves as the series' screenwriter.[24] According to the author, it is "the biggest thing Netflix has done in India so far", and is made along the likes of Game of Thrones.[24] He reasoned adapting the novel as a series, stating, "[G]iven the story's dark and violent tone, the current censorship rules won't allow for it to be made as a film".[24] Neelakantan said that part of the series is shot in Kerala and would feature something akin to the now obsolete Mamankam festival.[24]
In September 2018, filming for the series began, with television actress Mrunal Thakur was confirmed to play the role of Sivagami in the series, with Rahul Bose and Atul Kulkarni in pivotal roles.[7] Three sets were erected at locations where the two Baahubali films were filmed.[7] Sattaru stated that unlike the two Baahubali films, the series would not be limited to "a south or north... It's a pan-India series[...]".[25] Principal photography was completed in February 2019.[26]
References
- "Netflix to feature Baahubali prequel". Press Trust of India. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018 – via The Hindu.
- Kenny, Glenn (24 August 2018). "'The After Party' and 'Baahubali': Hip-hop Dreams and Indian Fantasy From Netflix". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- Express Web Desk (2 August 2018). "Baahubali: Before the Beginning is Netflix India's next big original series". The Indian Express. Bengaluru. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- Dalton, Ben (2 August 2018). "Netflix orders 'Baahubali' prequel series". Screen International. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- "Story of Prabhas' Baahubali, 'before the beginning' announced, Rajamouli opens up". Press Trust of India. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018 – via Deccan Chronicle.
- "Baahubali: Before the Beginning–Netflix announces prequel to the blockbuster Baahubali franchise". Netflix. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- Adivi, Sashidhar (18 September 2018). "Mrunal Thakur to play Sivagami". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- Nahaar, Rohan (11 November 2018). "Mrunal Thakur, Rahul Bose announced as leads of Netflix's Baahubali prequel series, more details teased". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- Bansal, Ravi (9 November 2018). "Netflix unveils Asia expansion plans with 17 new Originals". Press Trust of India. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
- "Netflix unveils Asia expansion plans with 17 new Originals".
- "Baahubali - Before the beginning Cast".
- Rajesh, Author: Srividya (5 October 2018). "Tej Sapru in Netflix Originals' Baahubali: Before the Beginning".
- Rajesh, Author: Srividya (14 June 2019). "Marathi film actress Sonali Khare joins the cast of Netflix Originals' Baahubali".
- Rajesh, Author: Srividya (6 September 2018). "Snigdha Akolkar in Netflix Originals' Baahubali: Before the Beginning".
- "Rajamouli to make mini TV series on The Rise of Sivagami". Press Trust of India. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2018 – via India Today.
- "Deva Katta's Web Series On Baahubali". The Hans India. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- Shekhar, Mimansa (4 July 2018). "Baahubali prequel to unravel on Netflix. Here are all the deets". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- Ramachandran, Naman (2 August 2018). "Netflix Adds Prequel Series to 'Baahubali' Indian Hit Movie Franchise". Variety. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- Tartaglione, Nancy (2 August 2018). "Netflix Sets 'Baahubali: Before the Beginning'; Gives Two-Season Order To Prequel Of Epic Indian Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- Jha, Lata (2 August 2018). "Netflix lines up two-season Baahubali prequel web series". Mint. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- "'Baahubali' prequel series announced by Netflix". Indo-Asian News Service. 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018 – via Gulf News.
- DNA Web Team (2 August 2018). "Prabhas's 'Baahubali' to get its own Netflix prequel series, watch the teaser". Daily News & Analysis. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- Patches, Matt (2 August 2018). "Netflix reveals plans for a Baahubali prequel series". Polygon. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- Shrijith, Sajin (8 August 2018). "Baahubali prequel series will be along the lines of Game of Thrones: Anand Neelakantan". Cinema Express. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
- Bollywood Hungama News Network (10 November 2018). "CONFIRMED: Mrunal Thakur and Rahul Bose to lead Netflix original Baahubali: Before The Beginning". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
- "Baahubali web series on Netflix may release before its planned date". In.com. Web18. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.