Is Baahubali inspired by Kanchukota?
- IndiaGlitz, [Monday,April 18 2016]
Remember Vijayendra Prasad said weeks after the release of Baahubali-The Beginning that the story was inspired by Chandamama and Amar Chitra Katha? One didn't know much about which stories in particular the talented writer and father of SS Rajamouli was inspired by.
Some might have accidentally chanced upon Kanchukota, an 18-part series published in Chandamama series way back in the 50s. The name of Mahishmathi Kingdom was borrowed from this story, besides the idea of the fortress, perhaps (though one doesn't need to borrow the idea of a fortress from any one fiction in particular, forts not being uncommon in such historical fantasies).
Back to the story in question. It tells the story of Yashovardhanudu, the king of a vast empire and his two sons - Tapovardhanudu and Gunavardhanudu. The 25-year-old Tapovardhanudu is not eager about participating in material endeavours, immersed as he is in spiritual and contemplative study. The younger brother is after pleasures and has no sense of discrimination between dharma and adharma.
Although the story bears no resemblance to Baahubali, it's clear that elements like conflict, and virtues and vices that are stuff of mythologies, were inspired from such stories.
Let's see if The Conclusion will be more like such Chandamama legends.