The character of Bhallaladeva, brought to life by Rana Daggubati, is one of the most notorious villains in Indian cinema, immortalised in the epic ‘Baahubali’ saga. However, Rana wasn’t the original choice for this iconic role. The recent documentary *Modern Masters*, which offers an in-depth look at the filmography of SS Rajamouli, reveals this intriguing piece of casting history from ‘Baahubali’.
In the documentary, Rana Daggubati reflects on his experiences working with SS Rajamouli, revealing an intriguing behind-the-scenes detail: the makers initially considered Jason Momoa, famed for his roles as Khal Drogo in ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Aquaman’, for the role of Bhallaladeva. This surprising choice underscores Rajamouli's global vision for ‘Baahubali’.
In the documentary, Rana Daggubati recalls learning from producer Shobu Yarlagadda that ‘Baahubali’ was a period war film, and they wanted him as the antagonist. Rana responded enthusiastically, saying he’d love to hear the narration.
Rana humorously remarked that being second to Khal Drogo wasn’t a bad spot to be. His portrayal of Bhallaladeva became a defining moment in his career, earning him critical and global acclaim.
