What Happened To The High-Budget Web Series Of ‘Baahubali’?

Disney+ Hotstar gears up to unveil a new chapter in the captivating world of Mahishmati with the upcoming animated series, “Baahubali: Crown of Blood”. Debuting on May 17th, the series embarks on a narrative distinct from the blockbuster “Baahubali” film franchise. While it retains the beloved characters, it presents an entirely new storyline, envisioned by director S.S. Rajamouli.

Rajamouli reportedly conceived this project as a live-action web series with a hefty budget of ₹100 crore. Collaborating with Netflix, initial episodes were directed by renowned names like Deva Katta and Praveen Sattaru. However, the outcome didn’t meet expectations, leading to the project’s shelvement. Despite the setback, Rajamouli remains enthusiastic about bringing this story to life.

Arka Media Works, the production house behind “Baahubali”, is reportedly determined to revive the project and leverage the enduring popularity of the franchise. The decision to transform the series into animation reflects a strategic shift. This approach allows for a potentially broader audience and greater creative freedom in visualization.

Producer Shobu Yarlagadda’s commitment to expanding the “Baahubali” universe through serialized content is evident. The success of “Baahubali: Crown of Blood” could pave the way for a trend in Indian media – the adaptation of established film characters into serialized formats. This would cater to the growing demand for streaming content and offer audiences a chance to revisit beloved characters in fresh narratives.

Epic Drama Ramayana Takes Dramatic Turn With Legal Copyright Dispute

He highly anticipated mythological drama Ramayana, featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi as Ram and Sita, has hit a major roadblock. Despite the leaked visuals leaving fans awestruck, the film’s production now faces a legal hurdle regarding copyright ownership.

Ramayana, touted as the biggest Indian film ever made, boasts a star-studded cast with Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, and Yash playing pivotal roles. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the project was initially co-produced by Bollywood bigwigs Madhu Mantena and Allu Aravind alongside Namit Malhotra. However, things took a turn when Mantena and Aravind abruptly exited the venture, leaving the reasons shrouded in secrecy.

Now, the plot thickens with Madhu Mantena issuing a public notice claiming ownership of the Ramayana script and related material. In a statement, he clarifies that while Prime Focus Technologies, another production house, sought to acquire the intellectual property rights in April 2024, the deal never materialized due to non-payment. Mantena asserts that the rights still belong to his company, Allu Mantena Media Ventures LLP, and any attempt to exploit the script or material by Prime Focus or those associated with them would be considered copyright infringement.

He warns of taking “necessary steps” to protect his client’s rights. This legal dispute casts a shadow over Ramayana’s production timeline and raises questions about the film’s future. Fans who were enthralled by the leaked visuals of Ranbir and Sai Pallavi are left wondering if and when they’ll finally get to witness this epic drama unfold on the big screen.