Fans of the popular Bahubali franchise have a new treat as the blockbuster returns to the big screen—but not as a completely new film. Director S. S. Rajamouli is presenting a special edition that combines “Bahubali: The Beginning” and “Bahubali 2: The Conclusion” into a single cinematic experience.
The decision marks the 10th anniversary of the blockbuster series. Producer Shobu Yarlagadda revealed that the new edition will run for approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, with the first film’s story shown before intermission and the second film’s plot continuing afterward. While the films are combined, the storyline will remain unchanged.
This edition may also include never-before-seen footage, originally shot during the filming of the first two movies. Rajamouli had captured over 11 hours of footage, much of which was cut during editing. Now, audiences will have the opportunity to witness some of those unseen moments.
However, there is no official announcement regarding Bahubali 3. Shobu clarified, “This edition does not hint at a third installment. But there is potential for more stories in this universe in the future. This re-release is just the beginning.”
The franchise began with “Bahubali: The Beginning” in 2015, which won India’s National Film Award. The sequel, “Bahubali 2: The Conclusion”, released in 2017, grossed ₹1,800 crore worldwide. The films feature stars Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, and Tamannaah Bhatia, with pivotal roles played by Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj, and Nassar.
Ahead of the re-release, both films were temporarily removed from Netflix to encourage audiences to experience the epic story in theaters. The special edition is set to release in Indian cinemas on October 31.
