In a land of heroes and warriors, in a time now long forgotten,
the great Rajmata Sivagami ruled the kingdom of Mahishmati,
which shone as a beacon of hope for the world.
Their armies were led by me, their war general, Katappa,
using the power of their fabled Mahishmati steel.
In time, Bhallaladeva would become the king of the nation
and wear a crown born of violence and terror.
While Amarendra Baahubali would die by his brother's treachery,
he would live as a legend in the hearts of Mahishmati
as the true king of the people.
Years later, Amarendra Baahubali's lost son,
Mahendra Baahubali, would avenge his father's death
and reclaim his lost crown to usher in a new golden age for Mahishmati.
But long before that story was written, there was another.
A man extraordinary like Amarendra.
Crafty like Bhallaladeva. Powerful like Mahendra.
A man who was ready to forge fate to make his own crown to rule all.
Our people were murdered! Murdered and robbed!
And not by any ordinary bandits...
By Mahishmati itself!
You dare accuse us of being criminals?
In our very palace?
I do more than accuse.
I declare it!
There is no mistaking Mahishmati steel.
Where did you find this?
Amongst the bodies of our people.
Our people were on a sacred pilgrimage
to bring our treasured Garuda idol
to the top of the Kandara mountains for a pooja
that must be performed every 50 years.
The ritual protects our lands and blesses our people.
The Garuda idol is a treasure of pure gold.
But its symbolism to our people, to our very nation, is priceless.
When the delegation never returned, we sent scouts to investigate.
They came across the remains of our people,
slaughtered, the Garuda taken.
The great idol, our nation's hope, is no doubt hidden in your treasury.
We demand it back!
Or Mahishmati will suffer the consequences.
War? Is that what you threaten us with? Very well.
The battlefield will be the grave of the Eagle Empire.
The evidence of Mahishmati steel is clear.
You have till dawn tomorrow
to return the Garuda.
War. It is about time.
Garuda Rajyam needs to be taught a lesson.
Well said, my son.
The wealth of their kingdom is legendary.
It would make Mahishmati the richest nation in the world.
War? Over what?
They accuse us of a crime we did not commit.
This is Mahishmati steel. There is no denying it.
But what warrior would leave his sword?
None who I command.
Exactly.
It was planted at the ambush site.
War with Garuda Rajyam would destroy both nations.
There would be no victory, for us or them.
Bhallaladeva, ready the army.
I will not be threatened within my own throne room.
Tell them they can leave tonight. We have nothing to return.
If Garuda Rajyam is determined to wage war,
then it will not find us lacking in passion.
Maa, give me some time to find the Garuda idol. Please.
You have till dawn.
Otherwise, Mahishmati is at war.
Who would benefit from
Mahishmati and Garuda Rajyam destroying each other?
Hmm. That must be it.
It is the Kalakeyas.
Mahishmati!
Garuda Rajyam!
Kalakeya...
Sorry to cut your celebration short.
But Mahishmati and Garuda Rajyam will not be going to war
with each other any time soon.
Always watching my back, eh?
Well, someone has to.
So, Baahubali has failed.
Give the word, Maa, and we shall have war.
A glorious war.
Summon the ambassadors of Garuda Rajyam.
It is dawn. What word shall I send back to my father?
Peace or war?
I would wish--
Many say that there is nothing more noble than war...
but I believe peace has its own virtues.
Would you not agree, prince?
I would.
The Kalakeyas tried to force us into a war.
Great Rajmata Sivagami, it seems we were mistaken
to ever doubt you.
Know that from today, whatever distrust there was between our people is over,
and we are in your debt.
War is averted, my prince.
Disappointed, Katappa?
The battlefield is your natural home.
Once, perhaps.
When I was young and foolish.
Are you calling me a young fool?
A fool? No.
Yet, you are far from wise.
That only comes with age.
And not always then, either.
Their plan almost worked, Katappa.
And yet, how unlike the Kalakeya!
Their strategy is never so subtle.
You suspect there was more to this plot?
I suspect,
and yet have no proof.
Are we being tested somehow?
And is there more to come?
We have been attacked!
Prince, we have been attacked!
A town on the west has been severely attacked.
Everyone is dead! They have laid waste everywhere.
Cut them down.
I will not have our people desecrated like that.
They are the town elders.
Why treat them this way? They were a threat to no one.
Not as many dead as I would have expected.
Where is the rest of the population?
Perhaps he can tell us.
Men, with me!
Wait, Bhalla! We need to...
Got you. You really thought you could get away from...
It's an ambush!
Protect the prince!
The one known as Katappa approaches, master.
I shall deal with him.
Katappa, eh? So that is the famed warlord of Mahishmati.
No, I will honour him myself. Stand ready.
Who are you?
Do you not know?
He goes by Raktadeva and Kaaldoot by his deeds.
He is doom for kingdoms like Mahishmati.
He is a messenger of new beginnings.
Mahishmati is proud of its steel, is it not?
He carries steel on his shoulders.
One call from him and many kingdoms have knelt down to him.
It is Mahishmati's turn now.
An obvious ambush, but futile.
My men already command one slope.
Soon we shall have the other.
Mahishmati will never bow down to the likes of you
nor will the army run off the battlefield.
Go back, for you are beaten.
We could finish the whole battle here.
Just between the two of us.
No place for these other sheep between the lion and the wolf.
You overestimate my importance.
I am just a slave from Mahishmati.
You are more than "just a slave," Katappa.
You know me?
Only by your legend.
I have heard many sagas about your bravery.
Let us see if there is any truth behind it.
Astounding!
The stories do not do you justice.
But there is only one way for this fight to end.
So much for the famed Mahishmati steel.
You are defeated. So why do you smile?
I am not defeated yet.
You are not the only one who knows how to set an ambush.
Wave it high, boy.
That way my brother can see who has come to save him.
Yes, my lord!
What are you waiting for?
Jai Mahishmati!
It looks as if all of Mahishmati has come to greet us!
Make sure we give them a proper welcome!
Show Mahishmati what hell looks like!
I have an important mission for you.
Anything, my lord.
Look after this flag. Make sure it gets back to Mahishmati.
Go. Go now.
Retreat!
Follow the flag!
But if we retreat, they'll be at our backs.
We will be hacked to pieces.
Our swords are shattering upon their cursed armour, my lord.
What can we do?
Do? Save yourselves.
Protect Mahishmati, and live to fight another day.
I will watch your back.
Go. Quickly.
Wonderful.
No!
So few of you?
They had weapons unlike any we have ever seen, Maa.
Our blades broke upon their armour. Their swords shattered ours.
Where is Baahubali?
Where is your brother?
Don't, Maa. He is badly burnt.
Let me look upon my son.
Rajmata, I...
I have failed you.
No, Katappa. You have not failed me.
You have failed all of Mahishmati!
You should have known what you faced.
You should have been aware of the weapons lined up against you.
You should have known about this strange black metal.
One failure after another, and my son had to pay the price.
My son is dead.
You killed my son, Katappa!
I loved Baahubali like a son.
How dare you!
How dare you speak his name!
He was my son!
He was the hope of Mahishmati, and you have killed that hope!
Where were you, Katappa?
Why did you not throw yourself in front of him?
Why did you not die for him?
That was your duty!
I have given my everything for your throne.
I have bled for you.
I have killed for you.
I have done all you have asked me.
You have not died for me. Not yet.
You live and breathe Mahishmati, do you not?
From this day forth, you are banished forever.
Your name will never be spoken of,
and the memory of you will be erased from our history.
If by tomorrow you are found within Mahishmati's borders,
you will be killed like the dog you are.
This is my word, and my word is law!
I...
I thought I had lost you, my son.
No matter how lost I may be...
I will always come home to you, Maa.
My son.
Maa?
Maa? You said something?
Did you call for me? You said "my son."
I was thinking of your...
Never mind.
Another battalion lost.
This Demon Lord strikes out of nowhere, decimating our forces.
If we had Katappa, then we might...
Never mention that name in Mahishmati again.
My humblest apologies, Your Majesty.
I just meant that--
I did not expect you to be so timid that you seek to be led by a slave.
A slave to be used and cast aside when his usefulness has expired.
You, my lords, are nobles.
The best that Mahishmati has.
Prove your worth against this Demon Lord.
Make haste. We have less time and more enemies.
That throne is all but yours,
my son.
Months have gone by,
and she still mourns Baahu.
The entire city still mourns him.
Every day there are more garlands lain at his statue.
Baahubali is more adored in death than he ever was in life.
I am more in his shadow than I ever was.
Bhallaladeva, it matters not
who is adored in life or death.
For you will rule Mahishmati.
It is inevitable.
Rejoice, my son.
Baahubali is dead,
and you did not even have to do anything!
Exactly. I did nothing. Nothing at all.
What? I do not understand, son.
Of course, you do not.
Unlike you, I have had to wear a mask for so long.
Pretending to love that fool and call him "my brother."
All the while, waiting for the right moment to see his smile fade under my sword.
Baahubali!
Where is my great victory that makes me worthy of the throne?
My victory over Baahubali?
I could have killed the man,
but I cannot kill the legend!
Please, master. One cup of water.
Please... I beg you.
Water? Get up and work for it, you lazy dog! Get up!
You're all the same. Any excuse. Lazy scum.
But this will get you up and dancing.
If you cannot walk, crawl. That's it... crawl. And get to work.
Please have mercy. Please, master.
Mercy?
You do not deserve any, not down here.
Hell is not merciful.
You work, or you die.
That's right.
Maybe the vultures hunger for a taste of your stringy flesh.
That's all you are good for!
I... I will kill you for this, slave!
You're dead! Do you hear me? Watch what I...
Here. Let me help you.
Let's find you some shade.
You have killed that man.
They will punish you.
Please, I beg you. Run! Escape this hell while you can.
I could have escaped before, but not without all of you.
We will all get out of this hell. I promise you.
They will kill you.
Let them try.