The legendary story of Amarendra Baahubali, who met his tragic end in the first part of SS Rajamouli's epic "Baahubali: The Beginning," is set for a spectacular revival. According to acclaimed animator and director Ishan Shukla, animation is the only medium that can creatively bend the rules of the established universe and continue the beloved character's narrative journey.
Breathing New Life Into Baahubali
Shukla, who has been entrusted by Rajamouli himself to helm the animated project "Baahubali: The Eternal War" and its follow-up, sees boundless potential in this venture. He believes animation can significantly expand the original vision that captivated audiences across two blockbuster films released in 2015 and 2017.
"This is the best way to continue Baahubali's journey instead of making a sequel or a prequel for the sake of it. It really feels like the most organic progression of his story," Shukla explained in an interview. The new film will transport audiences to a breathtaking conflict between gods and demons across 14 different realms, following Amarendra Baahubali as he navigates the afterlife.
The original live-action franchise, a cultural phenomenon, centered on Mahendra Baahubali's quest to avenge his father's death and liberate the kingdom of Mahishmati from the tyrannical rule of his uncle, Bhalladeva. The iconic dual role of Amarendra and Mahendra was played by Telugu superstar Prabhas, while Rana Daggubati portrayed the antagonist Bhalladeva.
Why Animation Was the Perfect Choice
While the Baahubali universe has already expanded through an animated series, "Baahubali: The Lost Legends," and a novel, "The Rise of Sivagami," Shukla is confident that using animation to resurrect Amarendra is a justified and powerful creative decision.
"I felt that the use of animation was perfect because there is only so much you can do in live action," Shukla stated. He elaborated that while some fantastical elements might appear too cartoony in a live-action format, animation provides the freedom to take creative leaps. "I could really take a leap in animation and it would make sense even if I bend the rules of the world a little bit."
The director, known for his larger-than-life storytelling approach, found the perfect conceptual foundation in Vedic cosmology. He saw it as the ideal landscape to extend the Baahubali saga, offering immense creative liberty. "I thought cosmology was the perfect place to take the 'Baahubali' live-action films and really bring on all the freedom that cosmology can give you," he added, emphasizing the distinct rules of different cosmic realms.
The Rising Tide of Indian Animation
Shukla, whose portfolio includes Oscar-longlisted "Shirkoa" (2016), "SCHIRKOA: In Lies We Trust" (2024), and an episode for "Star Wars: Visions" (2023), observes a significant shift in the Indian audience's appetite for animation.
He pointed out that the past four to five years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, have seen a surge in Indian fans consuming anime on platforms like Crunchyroll and reading manga. "It means people are yearning for stories made in animation from India. We just don't have enough of them being made," Shukla noted, citing the recent box office success of "Mahavatar Narsimha" as proof of this growing demand.
"It just proves that people want more and more of such long-format animations made for theatre," he said, highlighting an exciting era for the industry. He also acknowledged a parallel surge of independent animation filmmakers in India creating feature films for the global festival circuit.
While his work has taken him to galaxies far, far away in the "Star Wars" universe, Shukla often infuses his projects with elements of Indian mythology. Recalling his pitch for "Star Wars: Visions," he said, "I was just trying to bring all the things that make our culture really strong... the colours, the very maximalist filmmaking, the action, the music." This same philosophy of blending rich cultural motifs with epic storytelling is now being applied to the world of Baahubali.
Shukla's primary audience for "The Eternal War" is unequivocally the massive fanbase of Baahubali, which he believes spans all age groups. The secondary layer comprises animation enthusiasts in India and overseas who appreciate visual spectacles and stylized action packed with emotion. "I was so excited, I was like, 'I'm going to be in the 'Baahubali' universe and he's going to be back'. I think it will be accepted because, to be honest, we are making it for 'Baahubali' fans," Shukla concluded.
This new animated chapter arrives after Rajamouli recently released a remastered version of the original two films, titled "Baahubali: The Epic," on October 31, rekindling the epic saga for a new generation.
