The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
September 10, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Baahubali
Entertainment • Film

Baahubali

Baahubali is an Indian epic film franchise created and directed by S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Baahubali is an Indian epic film franchise created and directed by S. S. Rajamouli. The franchise consists of two main films, *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017), set in the fictional kingdom of Mahishmati. It became one of the most commercially successful and influential series in Indian cinema and helped popularize the modern pan-Indian film model.

Overview

The Baahubali franchise is a Telugu-language epic action series directed by S. S. Rajamouli. The main story follows a royal conflict in the fictional kingdom of Mahishmati and was presented across two feature films released in 2015 and 2017. The franchise is produced by Arka Media Works and features a cast including Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishna, and Sathyaraj.

Films

The franchise began with *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and concluded with *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017). Both films were jointly produced on a reported budget of ₹430 crore (about US$65 million). *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* became the highest-grossing film in India at the time of its release.

Reception and impact

The franchise is widely regarded as highly influential in Indian cinema. Its commercial success helped establish larger-scale production values and boosted the pan-Indian film trend, in which a single film is released simultaneously in multiple Indian languages.

Expanded media

Beyond the films, the Baahubali brand expanded into related media, including a novel, a graphic novel, a video game, and the animated series *Baahubali: The Lost Legends*. These works further developed the story world and characters connected to the films.

Later releases

In 2025, a combined remastered version titled *Baahubali: The Epic* was released. It re-edited material from the two original films into a single feature.

Key facts

  • The franchise centres on a conflict over the kingdom of Mahishmati.
  • The two main films were jointly produced on a budget of ₹430 crore (about US$65 million).
  • *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* became the highest-grossing film in India at the time of its release.
  • The series is regarded as highly influential and helped popularize the pan-Indian film model.
  • The franchise expanded into a novel, graphic novel, video game, and animated series, and a combined recut version was released in 2025.
🍁
Canadian context

Baahubali has Canadian relevance mainly through international distribution, streaming availability, and the broader visibility of Indian cinema among Canadian audiences, including the country’s large South Asian diaspora.

Frequently asked questions

What is Baahubali?
Baahubali is an Indian epic film franchise directed by S. S. Rajamouli, best known for its two-part story set in the kingdom of Mahishmati.
How many Baahubali films are there?
The main franchise consists of two films: *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017).
Who directed Baahubali?
The franchise was created and directed by S. S. Rajamouli.
Where is Baahubali set?
The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Mahishmati.
Why is Baahubali important?
It is widely regarded as a landmark franchise in Indian cinema and is credited with helping define the modern pan-Indian blockbuster model.
Did Baahubali expand beyond films?
Yes. The franchise expanded into books, a graphic novel, a video game, and an animated series called *Baahubali: The Lost Legends*.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baahubali_(franchise)
    Supports: Franchise overview, release dates, budget, impact, and expansion into other media.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baahubali:_The_Beginning
    Supports: First film details, production context, and release information.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baahubali:_The_Epic
    Supports: 2025 combined/re-edited release information.