Filmmaker SS Rajamouli took a break from his ‘Varanasi’ shoot to go to Fres to interact with fans and share new details about ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1’.The director, who won acclaim for his film ‘RRR’, attended a presentation at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France and explained why the franchise is jumping into animation after two successful films – ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Baahubali: The Conclusion’.
SS Rajamouli addressing fans at Annecy 2026
Speaking at the event, Rajamouli spoke candidly about the expansion of the ‘Baahubali’ universe and its deep connection with Indian mythology, he said at the event, “‘Baahubali’ is significantly inspired by Indian mythology, as you all know. Indian mythology is vast, vast and endless. But the characters can narrate what can find the words to narrate. Those mythological-inspired stories, we Being strictly limited by the constraints of filmmaking, we weren’t doing justice,” said Rajamouli.
SS Rajamouli on the concept behind ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1’
Sharing his ‘secret’, the director said, “So, impossibly, what we chose was that the original characterization, the code culture, was deeply rooted in India, but we chose a visual language, which was universal. Wherever the audience saw the film, they could connect with it immediately.”Reflecting on the success of the original Baahubali film, he explained that the creative team had expanded the franchise through comics and animated series, but felt they were yet to achieve the impact of live-action films. That changed when director Ishaan Shukla asked ‘What if Amarendra Baahubali (after his death) went into 14 cases of Indian mythology?’
SS Rajamouli is producing ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1’, an animated film.
“That’s exactly the kind of push we have to carry on with the Baahubali franchise,” added Rajamouli, adding, “Unfortunately, animation in India is seen as infantile. [medium]Not more than that. And we were thinking, like, how do we do it? Then came the prospect: Why are we only looking at India as a market? We are going to make it for the world stage. We are going to do it in the best possible way.“He added that the team brought together the industry’s top creative talent and animation studios to realize Shukla’s vision. “Whatever great idea Ishaan Shukla comes up with, we have to give it the best possible shape… And start making eternal war,” he said.
The Japanese studio has joined ‘The Eternal War Part 1’
According to Variety, acclaimed Japanese animation studio Studio Khara, best known for the Evangelion franchise, has roped in the upcoming animated feature ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1’ to create a dedicated animated sequence for the film.The collaboration is facilitated by Japanese production company SlowCurve, which will oversee planning and production coordination between the Japanese and international creative teams.
Prabhas is returning as Baahubali
Returning to the world of Baahubali, Prabhas will reprise his role from the live-action films, with Amarendra lending his voice to Baahubali. Ramya Krishnan also returns to voice Shivagami. Academy Award-winning composer MM Kiravani, who scored both RRR and the original Baahubali film, is composing the music for the animated feature.
‘Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1’ Plot Details
Following the cliffhanger ending of ‘Baahubali: The Beginning’, the film follows betrayed and murdered prince Amarendra Baahubali in the afterlife, where he finds himself drawn into an ancient cosmic war between gods and demons. Navigating the 14 realms of existence, he forms an unlikely alliance and fights to restore cosmic balance.
SS Rajamouli met the fans
After the event, SS Rajamouli was seen taking a break outside the event. There, he can be seen greeting his fans, signing autographs and even posing for selfies. In videos posted online, fans were seen approaching the director and sharing their admiration for his work in films like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘RRR’.
