I relish challenges like Baahubali: Sabu Cyril

Art director Sabu Cyril is currently overseeing the set work of ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’. The four-time National Award winner is supervising the construction work of a house, which would be used in the forthcoming schedule of the epic drama in Ramoji Film City. We caught up with him he shares a few details about the magnum opus.

He says working for the Rajamouli directorial is a different experience. “I earlier worked for period and VFX-based films ‘Enthiran’, ‘Krrish 3’, ‘Devi Putrudu’ and several others but ‘Baahubali’ is a totally different experience. In fact, I learnt a lot of things while working for this project. It is really special to me. ‘Baahubali 2’ will be much bigger and better,” he explains.

For an Art director, bringing to life the director’s vision is the challenge. The silicone elephant used in ‘Baahubali’ first part is just a small example of his illustrious work. “We had to create an elephant like replica and then insert a moving object into it. There’s pre-visualization, part of the pre-production during which we understand the director’s vision better.

We brainstorm and gather all the inputs for the characters that need to be brought to life. Designing sets that recreate a period drama, arms, and gear, weapons and animal replica have all been challenging. For the second part, we are planning to fix the engine of a bullet to chariot. But that engine will be invisible to the audience, so I’m now working on how the chariot runs.

I relish taking up challenging assignments,” Sabu shares. Working with Rajamouli has been an enriching experience for Sabu. “I worked with top notch filmmakers and Rajamouli brings in his own style. He’s a visionary and always thinks about films. He’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with,” he signs off.