The re-release of S. S. Rajamouli’s magnum opus, now titled ‘Baahubali: The Epic’, has rewritten Indian box office history for re-released films. Combining both parts of the saga into a single, re-edited, 3-hour and 44-minute feature, the film has achieved the unprecedented feat of becoming the highest-grossing Indian re-release ever, surpassing previous record holders like Ghilli.
Released on October 31st, the film, celebrating a decade of the franchise, opened to an exceptional response. Initial reports confirm a robust first weekend, collecting an estimated ₹24.10cr net domestically and over ₹40cr gross worldwide. Trade sources indicate the domestic total is now firmly marching towards the ₹30cr mark in its first week.
However, the high expectations of a ‘dream’ ₹100cr to ₹150cr run have been decisively tempered. A steep weekday drop—a common trend for re-releases—was noted, with collections falling sharply after the Sunday haul. Trade analysts attribute this performance to two main factors: audience over-exposure to the widely available film and the new cut’s extensive 225-minute runtime, which may have discouraged casual viewers. An analyst noted, “For a re-release, it has done well… The original Telugu version is performing strongly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana,” yet acknowledged that the overall numbers are a “modest performance” considering the franchise’s scale.
₹120cr Animated Epic Confirmed: ‘The Eternal War’ Teaser Goes Viral
Amidst the box office analysis, the franchise delivered a major update on its next chapter. The highly anticipated animated feature, a two-part saga titled ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War’, officially dropped its teaser in theaters and online, garnering viral praise for its high-quality, ‘Spider-Verse-inspired’ animation.
Director S. S. Rajamouli confirmed the project during promotions, clarifying it is not ‘Baahubali 3’, but an animated continuation of the lore, exploring the story immediately after Amarendra Baahubali’s death. The official handle tweeted: “Amarendra Baahubali’s death wasn’t his End—it was the beginning of something Eternal.”
The film, directed by Ishan Shukla and backed by a staggering production budget of ₹120cr, is set to be one of the most expensive animated films in Indian history. Producer Shobu Yarlagadda is reportedly planning a 10-year content calendar for the universe, beginning with this animated epic.
The new film will see the return of original cast members, with Prabhas and Ramya Krishnan providing their voices for the animated characters. While the visual quality has excited the fan base, the financial success of ‘The Epic’ re-release will now serve as a crucial barometer for audience willingness to embrace non-live-action extensions of the Mahishmati universe. ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1’ is currently scheduled for release in 2027.
