My OCD and a Tall, Dark, Handsome Film Star

I have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

I obsess about things. People.

And drive my family and my best friends crazy often enough. According to them, when I am in one of my obsessive fits (which thankfully are not that often), I start behaving (?) in an extremely illogical manner, far removed from my sensible and practical self.

So, it is of little wonder that they are quite exasperated with my current obsession with “a certain tall, dark and handsome South Indian filmstar” mentioned elsewhere in this blog.

And to think, I wasn’t even aware that HE existed until a year back.

It was just another lazy Sunday, and I had planned to spend the evening watching the premier of India’s first epic blockbuster film on TV. It had already become a sensation all over the world and created all sorts of box-office records. I had somehow (!) missed it when it played in the theaters, and didn’t want to do a repeat this time. So, there I was, ready to be entertained by another fantasy-adventure film from the talented director of Makkhi (Eega), which I had previously watched.

The title credits rolled in, the film began and ...

And then …

The earth shifted and settled in a different angle!

For quite sometime I did not even realize what had hit me. I sat with eyes wide open, the heart going nineteen to the dozen, and only one question circling my mind - “Who is this man?”

Although I am too cynical and worldly-wise to be impressed by mere looks alone, the fact that he looked like as if out of a Renaissance painting, definitely helped. That perfectly sculpted body, lifting a gigantic stone idol on those vast, never-ending shoulders with as little effort as if it was a sack of potatoes, had such a toe-curling effect. Every movement was as graceful as a ballet dancer, with perfectly poised toes and fingers. And those fingers, those impossibly long, beautiful fingers - oh my! 😍😍

And I was impatient for more … and annoyed with the commercial breaks, the extras with film trivia and anecdotes that interrupted my growing wonder. “Go away!!” - my mind screamed; not willing to let anything or anyone come between me and that gorgeous hunk of a man. A small voice of reason cautioned from within, “Have you gone mad! Stop behaving like a star-struck teenager!” But I was too far gone to listen. By the time the film got over, I was halfway to falling for this guy. I was curious, eager and determined to know more about this lesser-known South Indian hero who captivated me with his compelling performance, irresistible charm and dark, good looks.

“Oh, I just can’t take it

My heart is racing

Emotions keep spinning out.

I’ve been spending all my time

Just thinking about you

I don’t know what to do

I think I’m fallin’ for you …” ♫

So, what makes this “Man of the Moment” so unique? That I have fallen so hopelessly for him? That after this one movie, within the next one fortnight, I have researched and watched ALL his movies? That too, in a language I didn’t know or understand? That I have a saved page in HIS name in my Wikipedia reading lists?

It isn’t just his looks, because the truth be told … I have seen and been with men who are indeed more handsome than HE is. Although hardened fans would disagree, and may even be harbouring murderous thoughts at such a sacrilege. It is of course, undeniable that he has a tremendous screen presence; every time he appears, he fills up the screen making the others fade into insignificance. Inspite of his considerable frame, he has a loping grace, and a simplicity that is not affected. It is hard to define, but there's something so endearing about him that tugs at my heartstrings. Even as an out-and-out action hero, he has that sense of vulnerability in him that sets him apart from the regular he-men of the silver screen.

All my fangirl craziness aside, I am not so gullible to be swayed by star power unless there is substance behind the physical attributes. That he is an excellent actor, is beyond any doubt. It isn’t the first time that an actor has played dual role - of father and son, nor will it be the last time. But to portray the characters in such a way that they actually seem to be two separate individuals, markedly different from each other, requires a considerable amount of talent. And talent seems to be in abundance in this young star. In all his films, irrespective of the box-office results, he has left a mark through his stellar performance. All human emotions, from anger to anguish, joy to ecstasy, have found rendition in him. There has been hardly an expression that has been out of place or over-the-top, which is so very common in Indian films. After watching all his films, and multiple times too, it has occurred to me that he doesn’t just emote; rather he lives in that very moment and actually feels whatever the character is supposed to be feeling. Very rarely we get to see actors of such caliber these days. No wonder he has won over millions of hearts worldwide.

"With every passing moment

Thoughts of you run through my head ...

I realize that you’re heaven sent

I think you’re truly something special

Just what my dreams are really made of...

I really like what you've done to me

I can't really explain it, I'm so into you…”

It is not merely his acting that wins over the hearts of people around him, though his skills in that department is indisputable. His gentle behaviour and humble demeanour are the talk of the town. Arrogance, temper tantrums and show of star attitude that are considered inherent to the film fraternity are surprisingly absent in this gentle giant. His every gesture reflects and reinforces the goodness of his character. No actor in the peak of his/ her career would agree to the near-suicidal risk of working in one project for over four years, rejecting all other, lucrative offers coming his way (at times I do wonder if he is crazy!), only for his director and his vision!

In a profession where it is almost customary that the producers/ directors find it painful to work with their star performers, it’s not often that a director calls his leading man his “Soulmate”. Even his rivals in the business cannot but grudgingly accept that he has no enemies. His cinematic prowess on-screen and his persona off-screen, makes him a complete person.

"I am drowning in those eyes
I am drowning in those eyes
I can't breathe
Oh, you are
I can't breathe..." ♪

In all honesty, HE is my first Telugu hero. Well, maybe not really. I did watch a few during my school days, Anari (Venkatesh) and Criminal (Nagarjuna) -  and quite frankly, their histrionics left me so unimpressed that I felt no need to renew my tryst with any of them afterwards! To me, Telugu (and most of South Indian) films were loud, hysterical, over-the-top with outrageous storylines and less-than-funny dialogues. And dubbed films were even worse, with badly translated dialogues and totally forgettable songs (if at all). I decided long back to wash my hands off Telugu films. Huh! That's what I thought!!

“Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I'd had it all
But I was waiting for you..."

So, HE is my first real Telugu hero. That is, my interest in Telugu cinema started with and revolves around HIM. More specifically, after watching his much-acclaimed role in the epic blockbuster. Before this, I had no clue what I was missing all this time.

Film stars are primarily entertainers, who provide temporary respite from our mundane everyday life. But for me, this one previously lesser-known regional actor has become a source of happiness, by helping me renew my passion and discovering a new me within myself who was hitherto unknown even to me!

“I have died everyday waiting for you

‪#‎Darling‬ don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more.

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought you to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more..." ♪♫

I shall forever have this regret that I have missed out on so much, but in retrospect, I also think that maybe it’s better that I knew of him when I did, because I am not sure I would have liked him even half as much if I had seen some of his earliest films!

My obsession has not made me so blind (unlike many others) that I am unaware of the bad career choices he had made in the past. With the phenomenal success of his magnum opus, that earned him rave reviews and made him a household name … he has been placed on a pedestal from which it would be very easy to fall.

To be the first South Indian non-Bollywood actor to have his own wax statue at Madame Tussaud's, surpassing his famous veteran counterparts such as Kamal Hassan and Rajnikant, is a rare feat indeed! And this elevation per excellence has been achieved through sheer hard work, self discipline and integrity, without having any family legacy to back him.

Post this epic, he has grown both as an actor and as a person. It is only to be seen whether he can sustain himself and reach new heights, or fall into a predictable slump. As an ardent admirer, I would only want him to keep evolving and breaking new grounds, instead of going back to mediocrity. But whatever he does, he will have my heart with him … forever and always.

“You are my obsession now,

Burning in my heart somehow.

You are my fire, painted with desire

You are my obsession now,

Burning in my heart somehow.

Everywhere I go, I hold you in my heart

I know my obsession!” ♥♥

P.S: That HE is even more beautiful in person cannot be over emphasized. His simplicity, his warmth, and above all, his love for the fans (and not just the other way round) was a sight to behold. Every soft word, every gentle gesture, every loving embrace … and oh, the embrace (almost swooning!) … bespoke of the most prepossessing temperament and kind heart. His graciousness and consideration for others are a lesson to all, more so, to the other celebrities suffering from self-importance and vacuous show offs. He is a ‘Man of substance’ ... and meeting him has been one of the defining moments of my life.

"When I'm in your embrace
This world is a happy place
And something happens to me
That's some kind of wonderful..." ♪

The 'Before and After' of experiencing Baahubali

“Life can change in a kshanam (moment)” – goes the tagline of a recent Telugu film. For me, that defining moment stretched for 2 hours and 39 minutes – the length of Baahubali: the Beginning. Does that sound corny? May be. How does a mere film affect one so much that it actually becomes a life altering event? I don't know. But I do know, that I am not the only one - there are so many others who I am sure have not been less affected.

And yet ... it isn't as if I haven't been in love with films already. And fantasy adventure? That is my thing! Being blessed with a vividly imaginative mind, I have always been drawn towards the world of fantasy, mythology and the like. Having artistically inclined and well read parents, I had been showered with myriad books as well as scores and scores of Amar Chithra Katha to fan my already overworked imagination. Added to this, I also inherited from them - an intense love for films. As a result, at a very young age, I had been exposed to more films than many people would watch in their lifetime!

So, after all these years of watching n-number of films, fantasy or otherwise, what made this regional (with all due respect) film leave such a lasting impression that I am sitting down to write a blog post about it? I am not sure that I really know. Is it the special effect and VFX? But as someone whose very first film in a theater was Steven Spielberg’s “ET - the Extra Terrestrial”, I am no stranger to creations of special effects experts George Lucas, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, and the likes. Is it the story? Then I have probably watched better (?) stories being translated into celluloid by maestros such as Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Goutam Ghose, Akira Kurosawa, and so on. Or is it the action? But didn't I already see enough and more of it in Ben Hur, Troy, 300, or even Gladiator? Not to mention Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was a complete package … of a superb story, stunning visuals and special effects and mind-blowing action!

Therefore, with almost thirty years experience of movie magic, watching over thousands of films from different parts of the world, I am not likely to be swayed by just VFX and CGI tricks, an oft-told story of betrayal and revenge, larger-than-life action and stunts or beautiful music.

Well, what do you know? I am. By all of these, and more. Why? - one may ask, to which I really have no answer that may satisfy the casual inquirer. To my defense, I can only confess that, I have fallen - hook, line and sinker! For the film, for its protagonist … as also the leading man. But that is a different story, to be told some other time :)

This isn't really a film review though. It is more an attempt to express how this film has affected, influenced and to an extent, changed me in a way that none other had ever been able to. Somehow, somewhere along the line, Baahubali has ceased to be merely a film for me … it has become an experience! It also has had the rare but unmistakable effect of making a fan(atic) out of me that I never even thought was possible. Those of you who have already seen the film will know and probably understand what I mean to say. Those who haven’t, you do not know what you are missing!

I must admit that unlike a true FAN, I had not watched the film when it released. I was not even aware of it until much later. Sacrilege, I know! But it is never too late to make amends. So, I have tried to make up for the lost time by watching every telecast on TV, and repeats on DVD, trying to learn a new language and diligently following updates at every possible social network forum. Does that redeem me? I definitely hope so.

The story of the film is one that has been told before, many times, in many different ways ... “a child is born destined for greatness and as a man vanquishes the forces of evil” (Lisa Tsering, The Hollywood Reporter). But the treatment of such a timeworn, much-heard and oft-seen story is so visibly spectacular that it is nothing short of a miracle. That the film has been made with so much love is evident everywhere, from the creation of the gigantic waterfalls to the minute detail of the smallest weapons used ... from the pre-planning to the post-production. And it is this love, that has made the film, despite its flaws (which aren’t that too many), a truly epic experience.

Baahubali, with its picturesque sets, mind-boggling special effects and breathtaking visuals, is not any Hollywood wanna-be. The references to Indian history and mythology throughout the film have lent an Indianness that is not only engaging, but also close to our hearts. Mahismathi, the centre stage of all action as well as Kunthala kingdom introduced to us in the very first scene, have both their roots in history. It has been established by historians that the ancient city of Mahismati was situated on the banks of the river Narmada. The latter is also known as the ‘Lifeline of Madhya Pradesh’. “Jeeva naadhi” anyone?

The film also has parallels with the epic Mahabharata, an all-time favourite. The main protagonist (Shivudu) representing the Pandavas, and the antagonist standing for the Kauravas, it is also the age-old battle between good and evil.

But in order to bring a story to life, it is imperative to have a powerful cast and here’s where Baahubali scores the most. With a cast that has matched the director’s vision for every step, like a perfectly synchronized Jugalbandi, the film has risen to great heights.
However, it is the lead actor who is the most captivating of all. Prabhas as Shivudu (aka Mahendra Baahubali) and Amarendra Baahubali is a treat to watch. These two characters are the two pillars on which the film rests, and Prabhas is magnificent as both. Shiva is as spontaneous and carefree as the nature, as Baahubali is controlled, deliberate and purposeful as a king in the making. Although the outward physical appearance of the two men are the same (for the obvious reason), there the resemblance ends. The characterization of the two are so markedly different that they actually seem as if being played by two separate actors. As Shivudu, Prabhas has a loping grace, open and unrestrained. As Amarendra, Prabhas exudes confidence and discipline in his measured steps. The transformation is incredible! And complete.

Though the film has been touted as the biggest Indian “special effects blockbuster”, it is Prabhas who is the best “special” effect in the film … all other effects were merely aimed at assisting and elevating him to his rightful place - of that of a hero.
Prabhas is a revelation in this film. The gamble of casting him in a dual role could have backfired had he been a lesser actor. In many interviews post-Baahubali, he has acknowledged that this has been an opportunity of a lifetime … and indeed he has made the most of it. With almost every scene filled with his considerable frame, it required a compelling performance - and Prabhas has done justice to the faith of his director in him. Not a single expression has been out of place or over-the-top, which is so very common in Indian films. Right now, I cannot even think of anyone else who could have done a better job. With intensely dramatic performance and an irresistible charm, he has woven his magic over millions worldwide. The one (only) quarrel that I have, is regarding his dialogue delivery, specially in the crucial scene of motivating the dejected soldiers of Mahismathi. It could have been a little bit more compelling - I prefer the Hindi dubbing over the Telugu original; but since I am a non-Telugu, subtitle-only (so far! I plan to watch the Conclusion in its original form) girl, I might be forgiven for this censure.

In one of the most beautiful scenes of the film, Shiva paints a tattoo on the hand of his love interest Avanthika. Whether that signifies as a rather innovative declaration of love, or staking a claim and marking her as ‘his woman’, is a matter of perspective. The scene that has Shiva disrobing Avanthika to get her in touch with her feminine side has had its share of criticisms, ranging from being “regressive”, “an outrage on women's modesty” to, more seriously, “rape”! Although it is a bit arrogant on the part of the hero to take matters into his own hand, and chauvinistic to think that he can win a powerplay by distracting the woman opposite by arousing her … I have seen nothing which I find objectionable, no more than the outrageous treatment that is meted out to the poor heroine in every other (Indian) film, where she is regularly stalked, harassed and even threatened (!), to fall in love with the hero! If that doesn’t bring out the righteous outrage, then this so-called “rape-y makeover” shouldn’t, too. Films are, by nature, subjective and open to interpretation. Why can’t we simply consider that Avanthika is actually intrigued by, and maybe even a little interested in this stranger who is a match for her both physically and in the battle of wills? And for those like me, who have been reading Mills and Boon romances for years, haven’t we seen many such occasions where the handsome, domineering hero has brought out the inner beauty of the tomboy-ish, workaholic heroine? 

Although as far as declarations of love are concerned, “You are a girl. I’m a boy. I’ve come here to love you.” - might be somewhere at the top of the most unromantic proposals list, but this is more of an echo of another proposal made by “Pretty Woman” Julia Roberts to Hugh Grant in another film Notting Hill, “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her”. That was oh-so romantic, and this is not?
Personally, I find the choreography in this whole scene to be pure poetry! An attempt of the hero to show the heroine how he (a man) sees her, and in the process, making her see herself in a different light. It is also a reminder to an otherwise hardened warrior girl that there is more to life than duty and obligation; and giving into one’s physical desires is as natural as breathing, and there's nothing to feel guilty or ashamed of.

The visual effects are truly what may be termed as of epic proportions. Be it giant waterfalls, or avalanches, or the war scenes, the sheer scale and magnitude of the effects are staggering. Although at some instances they seem to be rather wanting, and at places downlight amateurish and shoddy, they are so few and far between they fail to spoil this unbelievably thrilling ride. The war formations that constitute more than 30 minutes of the later portion of the film are the best I have seen in any Indian film, and one among the best in world cinema. And that says a lot about the technical expertise of the cinematographer Senthil Kumar and the VFX team, entirely sourced indigenously from Hyderabad. Maybe this will be the beginning of the era where all big budget Hollywood movies will outsource their special effects to Indian artists.

Being a teacher and learner of management, I have always been keenly interested in strategic planning, and the war sequences in the film are lessons in the same. They clearly show optimal utilization of scarce resources (25,000 soldiers as compared to 1,00,000 Kalakeyas), innovative use of weaker resources and thinking out of the box (cloth bombs used by Baahubali). Both Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallala Deva are leaders who approach warfare in two distinctly opposite styles. While the latter is an autocratic tyrant who is ruthless with no compassion for subordinates or followers, the former is a benevolent leader willing to protect the interests of all stakeholders. It is also interesting to note that this film promoted gender diversity. Not only is an invincible medieval kingdom being ruled by a fiery woman, but there are lady bodyguards for the queen who accompany her to the battlefield; as also female tribal warriors as expert in guerrilla warfare as the men. It is heartening to see that even though it is a primarily patriarchal society, the women are not powerless or on show for decorative purpose only. They have character, grit and a mind of their own, making the world of Baahubali richer and more realistic.

I can probably go on and on about Baahubali and fill ten more pages, 'cause I can't seem to stop. It has become an intoxication, an obsession! Every time I watch the film, I relive the whole experience ……… laugh with Shivudu, love with Avanthika, suffer with Devasena, hate with Bhallala deva and conquer with Amarendra. I breathe and feel Baahubali. Even after one year, the magic has not subsided, rather like vintage wine has grown richer and more alluring.

And with the second instalment promising to be grander and more spectacular, I can only wait with baited breath … to be enchanted and mesmerized like never before.

Bring it on – Baahubali: the Conclusion. Jai Mahismathi.