Bāhubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) Plot Summary & Timeline

The narrative continues as Sathyaraj, portraying the loyal Kattappa, delves deeper into the tragic sequence of events that led to the assassination of the noble Amarendra Baahubali. Following a hard-won victory over the fierce Kalakeyas, the Rajmata Ramya Krishnan as Sivagami, makes a monumental proclamation: Amarendra, played by Prabhas, is named the heir apparent to the throne of Mahishmati. Meanwhile, her biological son, the ambitious Rana Daggubati as Bhallaladeva, is appointed as the commander-in-chief of the kingdom’s military forces.

Before the official coronation can take place, Sivagami instructs Amarendra to travel across the realm incognito. Accompanied by Kattappa, the prince is tasked with witnessing the true living conditions of the common people. During these travels, Amarendra encounters the spirited Princess Devasena, played by Anushka Shetty, of the neighboring Kuntala kingdom. He watches in awe as she single-handedly repels a brutal bandit raid. Captivated by her grace and martial skill, Amarendra adopts the persona of a simpleton to secure a job as a security guard at the Kuntala palace, while Kattappa pretends to be his uncle to support the ruse.

Back in the capital of Mahishmati, Bhallaladeva discovers a portrait of Devasena. Lusting after her beauty and wanting to secure more power, he maliciously prompts Sivagami to request her hand in marriage. Completely unaware of the romance blossoming between Amarendra and the princess, Sivagami sends a lavish proposal to Kuntala. However, the proposal is laced with a condescending demand that the Kuntala kingdom submit to Mahishmati. Devasena, possessing a fierce sense of pride, rejects the proposal outright. This defiance enrages Sivagami, who is further manipulated by the cunning Nassar as Bijjaladeva. Under his influence, Sivagami issues a royal decree ordering Amarendra to arrest Devasena and bring her back to Mahishmati as a captive.

As fate would have it, the Kuntala palace is suddenly ambushed by a massive raiding army of Pindari warriors. Amarendra drops his disguise and coordinates a masterful defense alongside Devasena and her cousin, Subbaraju as Kumara Varma. Through a display of synchronized archery, they slaughter the invaders. In the aftermath, Kattappa reveals Amarendra’s true identity as the Crown Prince. Amarendra vows to protect Devasena’s honor and autonomy, and she agrees to travel to the capital as his intended bride.

Upon their return to Mahishmati, the truth comes to light, leading to a devastating conflict. Sivagami presents Amarendra with a cruel ultimatum: he must choose between his right to the throne or his love for Devasena. Without hesitation, Amarendra chooses Devasena. As a result, Bhallaladeva is crowned Emperor, and Amarendra is stripped of his birthright, though he is kept on as the commander-in-chief. Despite the loss of his title, the people’s love for Amarendra only grows, which deeply threatens the new Emperor.

The tension escalates when Devasena becomes pregnant. Bhallaladeva, feeling his power slip, strips Amarendra of his military rank and replaces him with a corrupt loyalist named Sethupathi. Devasena openly condemns this injustice. The situation reaches a breaking point inside a temple when Sethupathi attempts to molest Devasena; in an act of self-defense, she severs his fingers. When brought before the royal court, Devasena bravely denounces Sivagami for her silence and complicity in Bhallaladeva’s tyranny. Inspired by his wife’s courage, Amarendra decapitates Sethupathi on the spot. This act of defiance leads to the immediate exile of the couple from the palace.

Though exiled, the couple finds peace living among the commoners, who still view Amarendra as their true king. Desperate to eliminate his cousin, Bhallaladeva conspires with Bijjaladeva to stage a coup. Bijjaladeva tricks the naive Kumara Varma into believing that Bhallaladeva intends to kill Amarendra’s family. When Kumara Varma infiltrates the palace, he is lured into a trap. Bhallaladeva massacres his own guards, and Bijjaladeva executes Kumara Varma. To complete the deception, Bijjaladeva inflicts wounds on Bhallaladeva to make it appear as though Amarendra ordered an assassination attempt on the Emperor.

Believing her foster son has become a traitor, a heartbroken and enraged Sivagami orders Amarendra’s death. To avoid a civil war among the legions loyal to the prince, she commands Kattappa to kill him in secret. Bound by an unbreakable ancestral oath of servitude, Kattappa lures a battle-worn Amarendra into a secluded sanctuary and stabs him in the back. In his final moments, a forgiving Amarendra asks Kattappa to look after Sivagami and proclaims:

“Jai Mahishmati”

As he passes away, Bhallaladeva arrives and gleefully reveals the entire conspiracy to a horrified Kattappa. When Kattappa rushes back to inform Sivagami of her mistake, Devasena arrives at the palace gates with her newborn son. Overcome with guilt, Sivagami publicly confesses Bhallaladeva’s crimes and proclaims the infant, Mahendra Baahubali, as the rightful Emperor. As Bhallaladeva turns the guards against her to seize the child, Sivagami flees toward the river, ending the flashback.

For the next twenty-five years, Bhallaladeva rules as a tyrant. He keeps Devasena imprisoned in an outdoor cage, where she spends her days methodically gathering twigs to build a funeral pyre for the day of his death.

In the present day, Mahendra Baahubali, fueled by the knowledge of his father’s sacrifice, declares war. Supported by the Amburi tribes, a rebel alliance, and a defecting slave army led by Kattappa, Mahendra launches a massive siege on the capital. During the chaos, Bhallaladeva kills Jaya Varma and captures Devasena. Using innovative palm-tree catapult tactics, Mahendra and Kattappa breach the city walls. Mahendra engages Bhallaladeva in a brutal, earth-shattering brawl and eventually overpowers him. He chains the tyrant to the very wooden pyre Devasena had spent two decades preparing. Despite his pleas, Devasena ignites the fire, burning him alive.

Mahendra Baahubali is officially crowned the Emperor of Mahishmati with Tamannaah Bhatia as Avantika by his side. He vows to bring peace and equity to the land. The story concludes as Mahendra recites Sivagami’s creed, declaring his word to be the law, while the massive golden statue of Bhallaladeva is swept away by the river.