SS Rajamouli shares plans for expanding 'Baahubali' franchise

Fans of the epic 'Baahubali' saga have something exciting to look forward to as filmmaker SS Rajamouli recently unveiled a trailer for the upcoming animated series based on the franchise. At the 'Baahubali: Crown of Blood' event in Hyderabad, Rajamouli shared their vision of expanding the 'Baahubali' universe across various mediums.

During the pre-launch event held at AMB Cinemas, Rajamouli emphasized the need to explore diverse storytelling platforms beyond traditional films. According to a report by India Today, he emphasised the trend in the West, where successful brands often expand into multimedia ventures, in contrast to India's tendency to keep its success in the world of cinema.

Rajamouli expressed his team's previous attempts at that, including ventures into gaming, virtual reality, and series production, but acknowledged that these efforts hadn't met expectations. However, with the animated series helmed by creator Sharad Devarajan, Rajamouli expressed optimism about the franchise's expansion.

During the event Rajamouli also shared his insights about his journey as a filmmaker, talking about his eagerness to explore new avenues in his upcoming projects. He recalled past films such as 'Eega', which had elements of animation, and his interactions with professionals at Disney, which have contributed to his growing expertise in the field for this upcoming series.

'Baahubali' producer Shobu Yarlagadda also emphasises the franchise's potential to be more than just cinema and become a multiform entertainment phenomenon. Yarlagadda emphasized that 'Baahubali' is not just about films but represents a comprehensive universe designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Animated series is largely considered a kids entertainment genre, though the series is expected to provide an immersive experience for every age group like the original movie franchise.

The animated series is scheduled to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on May 17 in multiple languages.