How 'Baahubali' Could Reshape Indian Animation's Global Ambitions

Animation has become inescapable across theaters and streaming platforms worldwide. While India has historically focused on licensing children's content and mature animation from international markets, the industry appears poised to establish a significant domestic production foothold.

The year 2025 has already delivered an unexpected success story. "Mahavatar Narsimha", produced by a relatively small studio, surprised industry observers at the box office with a worldwide collection of ₹326 crore against a modest budget of ₹40 crore. The film, based on Indian mythology, earned ₹298 crore domestically, with the Hindi version alone collecting ₹188 crore net, plus $3 million internationally. Despite less-than-stellar visuals, the film proved that Indian audiences are prepared for mature animated features.

The sudden success was too big an opportunity to miss, and many studios quickly scrambled to come up with an animated project on Indian mythology, like Netflix with its Kurukshetra and Hotstar with Mahabharat retelling made entirely with AI.  However, none are close to what we can expect from another project in the making, aka Baahubali’s animation feature film. 

Not just the OG film, but the animation is Hyping me up! 

When "Baahubali: The Beginning" premiered on July 10, 2015, it fundamentally altered the trajectory of Indian cinema. The film raised the bar not only for Telugu cinema but for pan-Indian dubbing and distribution strategies. Nearly a decade later, new releases featuring extensive visual effects and animation continue to be measured against SS Rajamouli's original work. Now, the franchise's creators are positioning themselves to set another benchmark with their newly announced animated feature, "Baahubali: The Eternal War 1."

The teaser for the film was recently released and has generated considerable attention online for its "Spider-Verse" and "Arcane" influenced animation style. Directed by Ishan Shukla, best known for "Star Wars: Visions – The Bandits of Golak," and written by Scott Mosier, whose credits include "The Grinch" and "Clerks," the film brings together creators with proven track records in animation.

Several factors suggest this moment could prove transformative not only for Indian animation but for the industry's ability to meet international standards. When compared to Netflix's "Kurukshetra" or Disney+ Hotstar's AI-generated "Mahabharata," neither appears to match what "Baahubali: The Eternal War" has demonstrated in mere minutes of preview footage.

The two-minute teaser opens with Shivagami's voiceover, announcing Baahubali's death and how it precipitated another historic beginning. Even after his death, Baahubali finds himself at the center of an epic cosmic war. The visuals evoke the quality traditionally associated with hand-drawn animation. The introduction of a vivid cosmic realm leads into a confrontation between Vishvasura and Indra, culminating with Amarendra Baahubali's heroic entrance on a chariot as he prepares to battle Indra himself.

The Artstyle Is The Hero Here

The teaser's brilliance lies unmistakably in its technical execution. Similar to "Arcane" and the "Spider-Verse" films, the feature appears to employ a blend of 2D and 3D animation, creating lifelike movement and depth within the animated world. The animation quality surpasses recent Indian releases and could be rated above certain anime productions, including "One Punch Man" season three. The clear, crisp frames maintain visual engagement throughout, with an art style that recalls "Arcane," the "Spider-Verse" films, and the anthology series "Love Death + Robots."

This quality reflects the massive international team behind the production. Alcyde, a France-based company, oversees visual development, including storyboard work, previsualization, and character design. Animation production is being handled jointly by Mihira Visual Labs in India, Aniventure in the United Kingdom, and Zaratan in Scotland.

The influence of "Into the Spider-Verse" is evident throughout the teaser. The cosmic realm's vivid, layered colors and the large-scale combat sequences employ familiar techniques, mixing 2D and 3D elements to bring the animation to life. The Indian animated feature is not simply copying the art style; the makers have direct connections to these productions.

France's Alcyde specializes in 3D production and motion capture. All three of its founders (Antoine Charreyron, Florent Auguy, and Dorian Marchesin) have worked on high-profile projects, including "Tomb Raider," "Terminator 3," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," and "Love Death & Robots," respectively. They bring extensive experience in adapting well-known stories for animation while maintaining distinctive visual approaches. Those familiar with the anthology "Love, Death & Robots" can anticipate the level of storytelling sophistication "Baahubali: The Eternal War" might achieve, with the exceptional animation serving as an additional attraction.

Aniventure gained recognition for its 2019 Netflix animated release, "Klaus," which won a BAFTA for Best Animated Film. Zaratan is a newer firm founded by former Axis Studios executives who contributed to projects including Marvel's latest release "Eyes of Wakanda" and "Love Death & Robots."

An Indian Studio at the Forefront

Most of the companies involved in production are based outside India. However, the entity leading them remains the Indian firm Mihira Visual Labs, newly founded in 2024. While the company lacks an extensive portfolio, it operates as a research-based enterprise focusing on AI and machine learning-powered filmmaking workflows. This represents an unusual approach in the industry, and if proven successful (which the teaser suggests it will be), the use of AI workflows for major projects in India could establish a new pathway to success. This development also signals the potential for a robust Indian presence in the international animation market.

While Indian animators and VFX artists have participated in major international projects for years, this collaboration positions an Indian studio with an Indian story at the forefront of the global market. Based on this film's performance, the model is expected to continue expanding in the coming years.

The Eternal War Is Also Risky

The film is scheduled for release in two parts and extends the mythology of the original films into computer-generated animation. Set after the events of both "Baahubali: The Beginning" and "The Conclusion," it will follow Amarendra Baahubali into a cosmic realm. One factor contributing to the original live-action films' success was their narrative originality. Expanding the story carries risk, as it could be perceived as an opportunistic cash grab, a persistent issue in the Indian entertainment industry. The challenge will be ensuring the story does not feel forced, allowing the animation quality to emerge as the primary achievement.

According to the teaser, Baahubali occupies the center of a conflict between devas and asuras, positioned as the chosen one who must restore balance across fourteen realms. The preview confirmed that Telugu actor Prabhas will reprise his role as the lead voice actor, with the character designed to match his likeness. This presents a second risk in the storytelling approach. Forcing a fictional character into narratives involving gods, or employing human likenesses in divine contexts, has historically generated backlash. The mythological liberties taken to present this story can only be assessed by audiences upon release.

Setting aside the storytelling risks, the pattern of animated films breaking records across theaters and streaming platforms suggests considerable excitement among "Baahubali" fans. If Ishan Shukla's spinoff manages to surpass domestic or anime records, it would mark a significant moment for the Indian animation industry and its future trajectory.

The project arrives at a moment when the global animation landscape is rapidly evolving, with audiences demonstrating an increased appetite for diverse storytelling traditions and visual styles. Whether "Baahubali: The Eternal War" can capitalize on this moment while navigating the complexities of cultural representation and narrative extension will determine not only its own success but potentially the direction of Indian animation for years to come. The franchise that once revolutionized Indian cinema now carries the weight of similar expectations in an entirely different medium.