Why Devasena Is The Most Important Character In Bahubali

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[{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1494357789269","data":"Spoiler alert!<\/b> The following article has minor spoilers for the plot of Bahubali 2, if you want to watch the movie first, do not proceed any further.<\/i><\/p>On our way to the theatre to watch Bahubali: The Conclusion along with my family, it occurred to me that my 9-year old niece, who watches Telugu movies and serials only, would be seeing a strong and independent woman in Devasena on the screen for the very first time in her life. <\/p>Not to say that there haven't been strong women in Telugu movies before, but considering the standard fare of the Telugu Film Industry and knowing the kind of movies my niece watches, this would be the very first time when she would see a woman on the screen who isn't a damsel in distress and a pretty face to fill a quota. <\/p>You could, of course, ask why Devasena over Ramya Krishna's excellent portrayal of the Queen Regent Sivagami, but there's a reason for that. Before we go any further, however, I realise and acknowledge that there are still problematic bits in both the movies (especially the first movie and it's portrayal of Avanthika), but much like how there isn't a movie of this scale in Indian cinema, there isn't a big budget Telugu movie that treats the women in it the way Bahubali does, especially in the sequel. I am hoping that both Sivagami and Devasena have set a precedent for the viewers to want more strong female characters in Telugu movies because we definitely could use more. <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1494359805265","data":"59121f78b843e"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1494359870541","data":"In a world with strict gender roles and strictly imposed social hierarchy, both Devasena and Sivagami stand out as rebels, but while one binds herself with strict adherence to what she believes is the right thing to do in the name of dharma, Devasena remains the trailblazing rebel she is by asserting her agency over her own body (and how!), calling out Sivagami for being a mute spectator to an injustice happening right in front of her eyes and outright rejecting of the 'guilty until proven innocent' system of law that Mahishmati imposes on its citizens. She even challenges Sivagami's authority in her own court when the Queen Regent announces that she had chosen Devasena for Bhallaladeva instead of Amarendra Bahubali. <\/p>Now, imagine being a 9-year-old girl and watching Devasena on the screen. Not only is she a great warrior for children to enjoy the spectacle of her fighting on screen, but she is an incredibly strong character setting an example for little girls across the country, showing them that their value is more than just being a pretty face, that they too can be as brave and as independent as Devasena. <\/p>Sure, one may argue that a 9-year-old hardly has the concept of being an independent woman, but the point here is that Devasena has set a precedent, a benchmark for women in Telugu films as well as little girls who now have a sword swinging princess to look up to for inspiration. It's the same reason why Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Storm and so many more female superheroes are important: they set an example. <\/p>And while we, with our privilege of being connected the internet and consuming content made in the west have our Supergirls and Carol Danvers, how many little girls who only consume Telugu media content have a strong and independent woman to look up to, especially when majority of our movies, as I've pointed out earlier, only have women for the sake of having a pretty face in the movie? <\/p>"},{"type":"img","id":"img-uid-1494362293897","data":"59122916a57f3"},{"type":"txt","id":"rich_1494362326456","data":"Representation in a movie matters, despite what people with privilege might say. Us men have so many role models to look up to just in the Telugu Film Industry, let alone the history of cinema the world over. In fact, the final act of Bahubali 2 itself has two well built burly men take off their body armour and fight. This is also a movie where Bahubali is deified, constantly reminding the viewer about what kind of a benevolent person and great warrior he is, and how his ideals should be emulated by the mortals of Mashishmati, thus automatically becoming a person boys can look up to. <\/p>This is why Devasena is the most important character of the movie, the precedent she sets should be emulated for years to come, and I can only hope she is the first of many incredible characters to follow in Telugu pop culture. One thing is for sure, Bahubali has cemented its place in the annals of our history, which will only lead to more young girls watching the movie and taking inspiration from the warrior princess. <\/p>After you're done reading this, do me a favour. Make a list of 10 strong and independent characters in mainstream Telugu cinema since 2010 and post it in the comments. Chances are you'll make some startling discoveries, so go ahead, give it a spin!<\/p>Walking out of the theatre, I asked my niece what she thought about the movie, and she replied, without a pause or a bit of uncertainty in her voice, that she wanted to be like Devasena. I've never been more proud of her. <\/p>"}]

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