Team Baahubali is creating a lot of buzz across all media. With the release date of the first part, Baahubali - The Beginning, fast approaching, the team has started to entice fans who have been waiting for the film. Touted as a visual spectacle, it is set to have been made on a budget of Rs 175 crore. The film that was earlier scheduled to release in April, has been postponed to July. As we await the release of this epic film, Rajitha S takes a look at a few that were made on similar lines:
Arundhati
Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, starring Anushka Shetty and Sonu Sood, Arundhati was made with a budget of Rs 13 crore. This super natural thriller was lauded for exceptional performances by Anushka and Sonu and also for its visual effects and grand sets. The movie also turned out to be an asset for Anushka in her role as Jejamma. This movie too is set in the backdrop of two different generations with Anushka playing a double role – the queen of Gadwal and also the role of her great grand daughter. The movie made close to Rs 34 crore at the box office and was declared a commercial hit. The film was dubbed into Tamil and Malayalam and remade in Bengali.
Eega
This 2012 film directed by SS Rajamouli came as a breath of fresh air. A simple story of a man’s soul in a fly’s body that attempts to avenge the one who killed him was been lauded for its visual effects. The interpretation of the fly is the closest to reality. Eega was made with a budget of Rs 30 crore and crossed Rs 40 crore at the box office.
Magadheera
This 2009 film was made on a budget of Rs 30 crore. Starring Ram Charan Tej and Kajal Aggarwal, the film was based on the theme of reincarnation, in the backdrop of two different generations – one set in the18th century and another in the 21st century. High end visual effects enhancing the massive sets, large number of people set in the war zone, shooting in the Rann of Kutch for one song – ‘Dheera Dheera’ were some of the attractions of the film. The film made a whopping Rs 78 crore at the box office and was remade in Bengali and dubbed into Tamil and Malayalam.
I
This 2015 film directed by Shanker could not stand true to the hype that was created. Shot for close to three years, the film starring Vikram and Amy Jackson was made with a budget of Rs 145 crore. Though it opened well, it was criticised for its weak storyline. The grand locales and expensive sets did not suffice either. Vikram was specifically lauded for sporting three different looks – of a body builder, model and also a deformed individual. Originally made in Tamil, the film was dubbed into Telugu and Hindi. It crossed Rs 200 crore at the box office.
Yuganiki Okadu
This film was originally made in Tamil as Aayirathil Oruvan, that translates to one man in a thousand. This fantasy, adventure film that was made in a span of two years and on a budget of Rs 32 crore. Directed by Selvaraghavan, (who also made 7/G Brindavan Colony), the film starred Karthi and Reemma Sen. It has been appreciated for its creative storyline and appealing screenplay that touches upon many aspects – subjugation, clash of civilisations, torture and so on. The film in its course, dates back to medieval times and this recreation has been highly appreciated. The movie was declared a super hit in Tamil, while it received mixed reviews in Tollywood.