Is Bollywood capable of making a Bahubali?

When I see films like Bahubali, Arundhati, Magadheera etc I see distinct Indianness, rootedness and old world charm in them and I see only characters in it. Was never able to see Anushka, Ramya, Tamannah, Rana, Prabhas, Ram Charan but saw characters.

Is Bollywood even capable of making good period films or films set in rural or non urban areas anymore? Apart from Gowariker and Bhansali, I see no one capable of even making a rooted period film or highlighting characters more than superstar actors.

And I somehow cannot see even Gowariker and Bhansali or any BW star do justice to something like Bahubali. I am sorry but I could see only Ajay and Kajol in Tanhaji. Not characters. Saif was good though.

The PS1 trailer is also amazing and looks distinctively Indian, with spot on make up and traditional looks of actors. I do not see such authentic Indian look and feel in Bollywood period films to be honest. Last ones which felt truly Indic were Lagaan, Jodha Akbar and to some extent Padmavat and maybe Bajirao Mastani (if some faces like Milind Soman were not taken in it). PS1 promo has ensured Vikram, Ash, Trisha do not overpower the characters or overall feel of film, a quality which Bollywood promos and films lack as they focus more on showcasing stars more than feel, culture or setting of film.

Is Bollywood even capable of doing what stalwarts of South do and get over obsession with stars and make a truly Indic film anymore?

No. The only period drama/larger than life film that I have genuinely liked till now is JA.

Same here. I never liked anything except JA and Lagaan. Or older films like Mughal e Azam or Mirabai.

Post 80s Bollywood seems incapable of such films and I daresay even Padmavat, Bajirao cannot match feel of Bahubali and Magadheera.

Originally posted by: atominis

Same here. I never liked anything except JA and Lagaan. Or older films like Mughal e Azam or Mirabai.

Post 80s Bollywood seems incapable of such films and I daresay even Padmavat, Bajirao cannot match feel of Bahubali and Magadheera.

Bhansali films are about looks, stars, music and carpets, curtains, chandeliers. Mostly tragic and slow. Not much of story. Quite regressive.

His characters are losers. In contrast Rajamouli shows very strong men and women in even period films. The Katappa character also manages to raise voice in Bahubali despite being almost a loyal slave. Characters in Bhansali films are mostly losers and spineless.

Originally posted by: atominis

Bhansali films are about looks, stars, music and carpets, curtains, chandeliers. Mostly tragic and slow. Not much of story. Quite regressive.

His characters are losers. In contrast Rajamouli shows very strong men and women in even period films. The Katappa character also manages to raise voice in Bahubali despite being almost a loyal slave. Characters in Bhansali films are mostly losers and spineless.

Bollywood has never really done big historical or mythological films.

Except Satya Harishchandra, Mughal e Azam and Paakezah they were never really into that big films.

Then tv happened with BR Chopra Mahabharat and Ramanand Sagar Ramayan.

Then came Jodha Akbar, then a few SLB films. And like someone mentioned SLB is more about aesthetics, costumes than the actual characters and most are not strong characters.

Contrary south have always done historical and mythological films with great technology and characters.

Now after so much exposure look at Brahmastra it could have been our very own big fab version and it took inspiration from Harry Potter, Baahubali, Lord of the rings. This would have been epic but Ayan reduced it so much to a romcom version instead of making it epic

No ! They lack the creativity! The reason Bahubali worked was because it was something never done before.

Still gotta see Tanaji. Didn’t care for Baahubali

I have seen Bahubali series in theatre and I can see why it airs every weekend on TV and is so popular on TV too. It is really good.

Actors and makers did a good job. It is unique and unlike typical Hindi films.

I can also see why Arundhati and Magadheera are popular on TV in dubbed versions. And all Southern versions of Bhool Bhulaiya are way better than Bhool Bhulaiya.

Bollywood does not even have actors of calibre of Ramya Krishnan, Anushka Shetty, Prabhas, Rana, Sathyaraj, Ram Charan etc.

Ram Charan is so good in Magadheera and RRR. Bollywood gave him a shit deal in Zanjeer remake with wannabe, unnecessary sleazy scenes too.

Bollywood wasted Prabhas in Saaho as well.