Magadheera, Eega Director SS Rajamouli goes Digital for his next 'Baahubali'

Format wars, Film vs Digital, even though not even a topic of discussion here in India, its a hot topic back in Hollywood. Many claims the death of 'film' is Imminent. Even documentaries has been made on the topic with views of world's top directors. Christopher Nolan is one the prominent supporter of film format [He hates 3D too, prefers Imax instead]. According to him

“For the last 10 years, I’ve felt increasing pressure to stop shooting film and start shooting video, but I’ve never understood why. It’s cheaper to work on film, it’s far better looking, it’s the technology that’s been known and understood for a hundred years, and it’s extremely reliable. I think, truthfully, it boils down to the economic interest of manufacturers and [a production] industry that makes more money through change rather than through maintaining the status quo. We save a lot of money shooting on film and projecting film and not doing digital intermediates. In fact, I’ve never done a digital intermediate. Photochemically, you can time film with a good timer in three or four passes, which takes about 12 to 14 hours as opposed to seven or eight weeks in a DI suite. That’s the way everyone was doing it 10 years ago, and I’ve just carried on making films in the way that works best and waiting until there’s a good reason to change. But I haven’t seen that reason yet.”

 The director with 100%, not just hit but blokbuster, record SS Rajamouli, regarded as Indian Nolan was also a supporter of Film format till recently. All his films were shot entirely [except bits & pieces] in the 'pure' format even though most others migrated to digital. Now for his latest project 'Baahubali' he has opted Digital for filming, making his entry into the format of the future. SSR clarified few things via twitter

Lots of rumours regarding #Baahubali being shot on IMAX cameras. No. We are not!!! We are using arri alexa XT. using digital cameras for the first time. Though shot in Tamil and telugu #baahubali will release in Hindi and Malayalam too. Also in other foreign languages. The first schedule will be shot for a week, in different outdoor locations in and around Hyderabad.. Imax is very expensive.There are only 6 IMAX cameras that are manufactured and heavy competition for their booking..I shot very few shots with digital cameras in eega. But yes, #Baahubali will be my first fully digitally shot film. Nothing to do with Vfx. The latest digital cameras are better than conventional film cameras in many aspects. Am not a fan of 3D technology. It is cumbersome & restrictive to shoot with the rig. Very few theatres. All these factors deter me from 3D

Shooting of 'Baahubali'' has already commenced, the reported budget of the film is 100crores. The film will star Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Sathyaraj, Rana Dagubbati etc.Eventhough the plot has been kept under tight wraps Reportedly Baahubali is a war movie in the likes of '300' in which Prabhas will be playing the role of Rajput King Prithviraj Chauhan, Anushka playing his love interes Sanyogita . The film is set in the time period 1000 AD. The film will be releasing sometime late next year.