As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Shivudu is actually Mahendra Bahubali, the son of Amarendra Bahubali, who was thought to have been killed by the villainous Bhallaladeva (played by Rana Daggubati). The film's narrative jumps back and forth between the past and present, slowly revealing the backstory of Amarendra Bahubali and his battles against Bhallaladeva.