Kamal Ghorui
More than a decade after Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion redefined scale in Indian cinema, the franchise continues to make global strides — this time in animation. Baahubali: The Eternal War, an animated spin-off set in the Baahubali universe, has been selected for the Work in Progress showcase at the Annecy International Animation Festival 2026 — one of the world’s most prestigious platforms dedicated to animation. Speaking about the selection on X, SS Rajamouli said, “I have always believed animation offers a canvas with no boundaries. It is a rare honour for Indian mainstream cinema that Baahubali: The Eternal War has been selected for the Work in Progress lineup at Annecy 2026… the whole team is elated to showcase the vision on the world’s most prestigious animation stage…”“It’s amazing to see the world of Baahubali being celebrated on such a massive global platform… Jai Maahishmathi!,” posted Prabhas.
Baahubali, reimagined in animated versionSet after the death of Amarendra Baahubali, the story explores a mythological afterlife where the protagonist is drawn into a cosmic conflict between Devas and Asuras. Spanning 14 realms, the narrative blends Indian mythology with high fantasy, expanding the franchise beyond its live-action spectacle into a large-scale animated universe. Prabhas and Ramya Krishna return to voice their characters, with music by MM Keeravani. The film is being developed as a two-part animated epic, with a reported budget of ₹120 crore, making it one of the more ambitious animation projects from India.
Why Annecy International Animation Festival nod is a big deal?The Annecy International Animation Festival, held annually in France and widely referred to as the “Cannes of animation,” is regarded as one of the most significant global events dedicated to animation. It brings together filmmakers, studios, distributors and critics from across the world, serving as a key meeting point for the international animation industry. One of its key segments is the Work in Progress showcase, where select films still in production are presented to industry insiders, offering an early look at upcoming projects. The platform often helps build global visibility, facilitate collaborations and open up distribution opportunities for participating films.
