Full Breakdown
Studio Khara Joins Baahubali Franchise for Animated Expansion “The Eternal War”
6/30/2026, 1:20:04 PM
Annecy Reveal
The animated continuation of S. S. Rajamouli’s Baabali universe, *Baahubali: The Eternal War*, was unveiled at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, where early concept artwork confirmed a collaboration between Japan’s Studio Khara and Indian production house Arka Media Works. The artwork displayed redesigned character models for Prabhas’ Baahubali and environment concepts, and the story follows Prince Baahubali after his death, depicting his role in a celestial war across fourteen realms.
Baahubali Franchise Background
The original live-action films *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017), starring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Ramya Krishnan, achieved major box-office success in India and internationally, establishing Mahishmati as a cultural touchstone and exploring themes of legacy, betrayal, and destiny. The animated project expands the narrative beyond the live-action storyline, exploring Prince Baahubali’s afterlife and a mythic war across fourteen realms.
Creative Team & Partners
Director Ishan Shukla; producers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni (Arka Media Works); screenwriter Scott Mosier and composer M. M. Keeravani; Japanese studio Studio Khara; animation partners Mihira Visual Labs (India), Aniventure (UK), Zaratan (Scotland), Alcyde and Les Androids Associés (France).
Announcement Timeline
Annecy International Animation Film Festival (date not specified in source) – Public announcement of the animated project and reveal of concept visuals.
Budget & Scale
The reported production budget is approximately INR120 crore (? US $15 million), four times higher than recent Japanese anime films such as *Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc* and placing the project among India’s most expensive animated productions.
Official Announcement
Arka Media Works announced that the animated film will continue the story after the live-action series, focusing on Baahubali’s afterlife journey and his role in a celestial conflict between devas and asuras. The statement highlighted the international animation pipeline involving studios in India, Japan, the UK, Scotland, and France.
Collaboration Impact
The partnership is a rare cross-regional collaboration between a leading Japanese animation studio and one of India’s largest film franchises. It signals a potential shift in the Indian animation sector toward higher-budget, globally-oriented productions and may broaden the Baahubali audience beyond its existing fan base.
Conflicting Reports
The INR120 crore figure originates from media reports and has not been officially confirmed by the producers. Additionally, no release window has been disclosed, leaving the projected distribution timeline uncertain. The lack of a confirmed release window leaves open questions about distribution platforms, whether theatrical, streaming, or festival circuits.
Future Developments
Production continues across the international studios, with further visual material expected as development progresses. Stakeholders indicate that announcements on release dates and distribution platforms will follow the animation pipeline’s completion.
