The World of Baahubali Expands to Graphic Novels, Games, and an Animated Series

John F. Trent |

Feb 8, 2016

The success of S.S. Rajamouli’s movie, Baahubali: The Beginning, has led to a deal between Akra Mediaworks, the producer of the movie, S.S. Rajamouli, and character entertainment company, Graphic India. They plan to release graphic novels, games, and an animated series.

“This was an opportunity to use all the hard work that went into creating the script. We had intricate details that will work wonderfully in this format. In the process of creating Baahubali, a bigger story evolved — with more characters, more intrigue and adventure,” explains S.S. Rajamouli. He continued, “When this world was created, we knew we could focus on just a small part of it, but it had the potential to do well as a comic, animation film or as toys.”

“For instance, in the movie, fleeting shots show the two cousins growing up to become rivals. The rivalry was not new. For two brothers to drift this apart, things must have happened, people must have furthered the drift, things might have happened during their studies in the gurukul… see the potential to expand the idea,” says Rajamouli.

Rajamouli also explains his vision of expanding the world of Baahubali, “If you imagine the world of Baahubali as the trunk of a tree, the film is one branch, graphic novels will be another, and so on.”

He also went on to talk about the relationship with Graphic India and how creative decisions will be made, “I’ve seen their art work; it’s world-class. The stories will be mine, the execution theirs. I will have the final say.”

Rajamouli also reflected on how the move to produce comics brings his life full circle, “Amar Chitra Katha comics triggered my passion for stories and mythology. Now, 40 years later, I’m trying to make a book out of my story!”

The graphic novel is expected to be on shelves sometime in June or July of this year with the animated series and gaming coming later in the year. Rajamouli is also working on the second half of his two-part Baahubali movie series. Baahubali: The Conclusion is expected to be released by the end of this year or early next year.