Exclusive: S.S. Rajamouli Mulls Baahubali 3 in Animation Format
“An animated version of Baahubali 3 is very much on the cards, and even the producers are thinking along similar lines. The project could go on floors soon,” reveals a source.
If reliable sources are to be believed, India’s ace filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli is reportedly exploring the idea of bringing back his most iconic franchise — Baahubali — in a completely new format powered by AI and animation.
“An animated version of Baahubali 3 is very much on the cards, and even the producers are thinking along similar lines. The project could go on floors soon,” reveals a source.
The source explains that a live-action sequel would be difficult at the moment, given the packed schedules of superstar Prabhas, who is busy with multiple projects over the next two years. “Anushka Shetty has also slowed down her work; Tamannaah’s role would need to be expanded, and Rana Daggubati’s character was killed in the climax of Baahubali 2. So, finding the right cast for a live-action version is challenging,” the source adds.
With the Baahubali franchise continuing to enjoy a massive global fandom, especially following the renewed buzz ahead of its re-release on October 31, the makers are said to be keen on capitalizing on the enduring craze.
The team plans to leverage AI-driven animation to create lifelike characters, majestic settings, and high-octane battle sequences that rival the cinematic scale of the first two installments. Inspired by the recent success of the animated film Mahavatar Narasimha, Rajamouli reportedly sees potential to deliver a Hollywood-standard animated spectacle.
“They are eyeing a 2026 release if everything falls into place. The goal is to make a warrior-driven story with emotionally charged storytelling and breathtaking visuals,” the insider reveals.
The project is expected to reunite Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani, who would craft soulful songs and an evocative background score, and veteran writer Vijayendra Prasad, who may pen powerful dialogues to match the grandeur of the franchise.
With Rajamouli’s visionary touch and cutting-edge animation technology, Baahubali 3 could well become a game-changer in Indian cinema — marking yet another milestone in the filmmaker’s illustrious career.
A producer director says, “Animation is the new fad, and the budget required is quite nominal. For instance, if roughly two parts of Baahubali were made with over ₹200 crores, an animated version could be produced for just ₹40 to ₹50 crores — which is definitely recoverable,” he explains.
He adds, “Animation also offers infinite creative freedom to filmmakers, allowing them to break all visual boundaries. For example, in live-action we have to limit a hero’s jump from a cliff due to safety concerns, but in animation there are no such restrictions — the sky’s the limit for imagination and creativity.”
He further claims that the worldwide success of Mahavatar Narasimha has definitely inspired Tollywood filmmakers to explore the animation format, which offers “stunning visuals and lifelike characters.” Another upcoming project, Vayuputra by director Chandoo Mondeti, based on Lord Hanuman, has already been announced. “More such projects are in the pipeline since most of the work is done in-house, with about 100 animators working on as many systems, capturing varied angles to deliver a true masterpiece,” he concludes.
