As the much-anticipated re-release of the monumental saga Baahubali: The Epic approaches on October 31, 2025, director S. S. Rajamouli has pulled back the curtain on the significant edits made to the original two-part franchise. Among the surprises: the removal of the popular song “Pacha Bottesina”, featuring actor Tamannaah Bhatia, and several other sequences that longtime fans may miss.
This news has generated a wave of conversation across film-lovers and cinephiles, prompting questions about narrative pacing, fan expectations and what the new version promises.
Background: What is “Baahubali: The Epic”?
The Baahubali franchise – comprised of Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) – created landmark success in Indian cinema. The re-edited version, Baahubali: The Epic, stitches both films into a single unified narrative for this re-release.
According to Rajamouli, when both original films are combined (including their rolling credits and all content), the runtime would have been 5 hours 27 minutes. But after test screenings and cuts, the final version runs about 3 hours 43 minutes.
What Cuts Were Confirmed?
In the promotional interview ahead of the release, Rajamouli detailed the specific scenes and sequences that were removed or trimmed to streamline the story. Key among them:
- The song “Pacha Bottesina” (featuring Tamannaah) has been completely removed from the new version.
- Other songs cut: “Kanna Nidurinchara”, “Irrukupo”.
- The romantic subplot between Shivudu (Prabhas) and Avanthika (Tamannaah) has been significantly trimmed.
- Some war-episode sequences have been shortened to maintain narrative flow.
Rajamouli explained:
“Every scene in Baahubali carries emotional weight and narrative importance, but we wanted the new version to be purely story-driven.
Why These Cuts?
The director provided context for why these decisions were made:
- Narrative Economy: Combining two films into one requires a leaner structure. Long songs and subplots, however beloved, can slow down pacing in a single-sitting experience. This was a major reason the love track and songs were removed.
- Audience Feedback: Rajamouli revealed that early cuts (about 4h10m) were screened to mixed audiences (cinema and non-cinema viewers) and based on their input, further trimming was done to reach 3h43m.
- Focus on Core Story: The aim is to preserve the high drama, spectacle and core emotional beats, while trimming sequences that may not directly add to the throne-succession and revenge plot.
What This Means For Fans
For fans of the original franchise, these cuts carry both disappointment and interest.
- Disappointment: Some of the songs and sequences removed were popular and memorable (especially the “Pacha Bottesina” song). Viewers who enjoyed the full experience may feel something is missing.
- Interest: Others will appreciate a tighter version enabling a one-sitting theatrical experience for the epic saga. The excitement of watching a condensed version of the two films is part of the appeal.
- Curiosity: The edits open up speculation about what remains and how the narrative flows without certain subplots or songs.
Tamannaah’s Involvement and the Cut
Tamannaah Bhatia’s character Avanthika played a pivotal role in the first film’s arc, including her love track with Shivudu. This subplot has been trimmed heavily in the new version.
The removal of the song “Pacha Bottesina” (featuring Tamannaah) means one of her more visible performances in the franchise will not appear in this edition. The actor and her fans will likely feel the impact of this absence.
Director Rajamouli on the Challenge
Details shared by Rajamouli show the extent of the challenge in re-crafting the two films:
- Attempted linear narration of both parts didn’t work.
- Simply shortening scenes wasn’t enough to maintain flow.
- Ultimately episodes had to be removed.
In his words: We first tried to narrate the two films linearly – that didn’t work. Then we shortened scene lengths – that too failed to capture the flow. Finally, we realised the only way was to remove entire episodes to maintain the story’s rhythm.”
The Release & What to Expect
- Release date: Theatrical release of Baahubali: The Epic is set for October 31, 2025, with international premieres starting October 29.
- Runtime: Approximately 3 hours 43 minutes – a significant reduction from what both films would have run together.
- New additions? While no major new scenes are confirmed, minor edits and unseen footage may appear. The focus remains on refining rather than expanding.
Implications for the Franchise
- Global Audience Appeal: A tighter cut may make the film more accessible for international audiences or repeat viewings.
- Preservation of Epic Scale: While songs and subplots are removed, the large scale visuals, action and core themes remain unaffected per Rajamouli’s assurances.
- Future Projects: With the re-release creating renewed interest, speculation grows about what comes next in the Baahubali universe (animated versions, spin-offs). Rajamouli hinted at an animated film next.
Critic & Fan Reactions Already Emerging
Early commentary from fan forums and Reddit shows a mixture of excitement and concern:
“I think most of the songs will be cut … Two full parts with 5½ hours no kooda we’re thinking what’s even there to cut and how on earth are they fitting it just over 3½ hours.
Some posts reflect nostalgia and resistance:
“Absolutely no way it is going to make it. In fact the whole sequence may be chopped off. It’s clear that while many welcome the novelty of a re-release, there’s a sense of loss for those who cherish the original full version’s depth and songs.
The news that the song “Pacha Bottesina” is removed from Baahubali: The Epic and other major cuts have been made signals a pivotal moment for one of Indian cinema’s most iconic sagas. Director Rajamouli’s vision of a unified, tightly-paced film may offer a fresh way to experience the story though for many, it also means saying goodbye to favorite sequences and songs.
Ultimately, what remains unchanged is the core of the Baahubali saga: power, betrayal, redemption, and spectacle. And for audiences returning to theatres this October, the question will be whether the new cut retains the magic that made the originals unforgettable even if some cherished chapters are missing.
Stay tuned for our follow-up review after opening week to see how audiences respond to this bold re-imagination of a cinematic landmark.
