Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli – always had the idea of making Baahubali a pan-India phenomenon from the very first day of the project. But that it would go on to be such a huge cinematic phenomenon, shattering records every day, was beyond anybody’s imagination.
The filmmaker said his producer Shobu Yarlagadda once gave him golden words of wisdom, something that he deeply cherishes even today. “When I had just begun making Baahubali, my producer had told me that if you desire something with your whole heart, the whole universe conspires to make it happen,” he said. Those words perhaps struck him deeply and thus led to the creation of what can be termed as an epic in the history of Indian cinema on several accounts.
Royal welcome
Meanwhile, ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’ continues to create a stir at the box office becoming the biggest blockbuster of all times and the first one to make a collection of over ₹ 1000 crore worldwide. On Friday, it made yet another record by raking in a collection of ₹ 390.25 crore for the Hindi version in just two weeks of release, surpassing the past record of Dangal.
The creator of the Mahishmati kingdom was given a royal welcome in the city on Friday with drum beats and soaring music.
Rajamouli, who was here to inaugurate the Laqshya Badminton Academy at Green City, Vadlapudi Post, said he was happy to be back in the city where he spent many years.
Speaking to The Hindu , the filmmaker said: “I have a long association with the city. Vizag holds a special place in my heart. My mother was from Vizag. I have lived here in Sagar Nagar for a good number of years and have several great memories from the city. It is always good to be back here.”
The humble filmmaker with his friendly smile charmed the crowd that gathered around him and waved out to his excited fans.
He obliged many with selfies and even played a game of badminton.
Speaking about his association with badminton coach M.V. Murali Krishna, the filmmaker said: “My friendship with Murali Krishna goes back to 25 years. Those days when I would roam around the city with friends doing nothing but watching films, Murali Krishna was one man who had a stupendous focus and single-minded dedication towards badminton. I remember how he would let nothing in the way of his daily four hours badminton practice. He has been one of my biggest inspirations in life. Very few have the focus that he has on bringing up champions from the grassroot level. I try to help him out in whatever way I can.”
