Full Breakdown
S.S. Rajamouli Presents “Baahubali: The Eternal War” at Annecy, Kicking Off European Tour
6/25/2026, 2:46:07 PM
Work-in-Progress Presentation at Annecy
On Thursday, June 25 2026, Indian director S.S. Rajamouli attended the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France to present a work-in-progress (WIP) screening of the CGI animated feature *Baahubali: The Eternal War*. The film is part of Annecy’s WIP sidebar, which showcases nine upcoming animated titles, and the session included a panel with members of the creative team.
Background: From Live-Action Epics to Animation
The animated spin-off expands the Telugu-language Baahubali franchise that began with Rajamouli’s 2015 and 2017 blockbusters *Baahubali: The Beginning* and *Baahubali: The Conclusion*. The story follows the murdered Prince Baahubali as he enters an afterlife war across fourteen realms. While *The Eternal War* is in development, Rajamouli is completing the live-action film *Varanasi*, which wrapped principal photography with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mahesh Babu and is slated for worldwide release on April 7 2027.
Key Creative Team
The project is produced by Rajamouli and Arka Media co-head Shobu Yarlagadda. Ishan Shukla directs, with a screenplay by Scott Mosier. Ajey Lele serves as art director, Sowmya Sharma co-writes, Antoine Charryron directs animation, and Simon Brown oversees CG.
Timeline of Appearances and Releases
The Annecy WIP screening occurs on June 25 2026, followed by a French Cinémathèque retrospective on June 26-27, which includes a masterclass on June 27. Paris cinemas will host screenings of the Baahubali epics, *RRR*, *Maryada Ramanna* and *Eega* on June 29-30. *RRR* will be re-released in France in July and screened at the Institut Lumière in Lyon later that month. In August, Rajamouli will attend the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival in Switzerland, receiving a special award on its 25th anniversary. *Baahubali: The Eternal War* is slated for a 2027 theatrical release, and *Varanasi* will open worldwide on April 7 2027.
Why It Matters / Impact
The Annecy showcase marks the first Indian-origin animated spin-off presented at the festival, highlighting the Baahubali franchise’s expansion into global animation. Positioning the story in a CGI format and touring European festivals signals a strategic effort to broaden Indian storytelling beyond live-action cinema and to engage international audiences and industry partners.
Official Statements & Responses
Festival organizers said the inclusion of *Baahubali: The Eternal War* reflects the growing diversity of animated content in the WIP sidebar. Rajamouli’s team confirmed his participation in the Annecy panel alongside the director, art director, co-writer, animation director and CG supervisor. Producer Shobu Yarlagadda was identified as a co-producer, underscoring the collaborative nature of the project.
What’s Next
Following Annecy, Rajamouli will attend a special screening of *RRR* at the Institut Lumière in Lyon and receive a special award at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival. *Baahubali: The Eternal War* remains scheduled for a 2027 theatrical release, while *Varanasi* will open worldwide on April 7 2027. These engagements aim to raise the profile of Indian cinema on the global stage.
