Amarendra Baahubali's self-assured confidence that there is always the warrior-slave Kattappa to defend him disturbs us for obvious reasons. For nearly two years, legions of fans of the magnum opus have wondered why Kattappa must have eliminated Baahubali, and here the unsuspecting hero says 'Nuvvu natho unnantha varaku, nannu champe mogadu inka puttaledu, Mama..'!

The gore is incredibly Rajamoulian. When it comes to elevating violence, this director is second to none. The macabre and the emotional are wedded in a tantalizing combination. And we are talking about a story with a range of profoundly sketched characters.

The war is not only external, but also unpredictably internal. As Sivagami (Ramya Krishna) says 'Anthar yuddham..', you will want to stop the guess game and wait for the drama to unfold on April 28.

If the trailer of the first edition was more relaxed (relatively), this trailer sucks us into the intense emotions in a jiffy. Rajamata Sivagami is at her most angry self.

The ultra-emotional Bhallaladeva is as yet Rana Daggubati's most mainstream and brutal act. The last frame is simply mind-blowing. In his lust for power, Bhallaladeva is terrifying. And the way Rajamouli has depicted him, the way Rana has performed, one feels even his soul is baying for Baahubali's blood. A soul is supposed to be sinless, but it was created by Rajamouli!

Anushka provides a romantic interlude on the one hand, and a peek into her complex self, on the other.

Kattappa (Sathyaraj) is seemingly anxious and guilt-stricken.

Finally, the man: Prabhas is undoubtedly at his most-subtle self. His energy is dignified, his voice comes with a difference, his looks are loaded, his body is in perfect shape.

MM Keeravani's BGM is apparently stylized. Senthil's cinematography is arresting.