As the clock ticks down to the grand theatrical return of Baahubali: The Epic—a sleek, remastered fusion of Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali: The Conclusion—excitement is building among fans worldwide. Slated for a full release on October 31, the film kicks off with paid premieres in India today (October 30) and overseas screenings starting as early as October 29.
In a lively pre-release chat, stars Prabhas and Rana Daggubati joined visionary director SS Rajamouli to reminisce about the franchise’s legendary journey. Prabhas, ever the curious one, grilled Rajamouli on the new cut’s runtime and the editing choices that shaped this epic redux.
Rajamouli spilled the beans: the original duo clocks in at a marathon five-and-a-half hours, but *The Epic* has been masterfully slimmed down to a punchy 3 hours and 45 minutes. To achieve this, some beloved but non-essential elements hit the cutting room floor. Gone is the romantic subplot between Prabhas’s Sivudu and Tamannaah’s fierce Avantika from the first film’s early acts.
Musical highlights like the vibrant “Paccha Bottesina,” the dreamy “Kanna Nidurinchara,” and the sultry “Manohari” have also been excised. Even portions of the iconic war scenes got a trim, though Rajamouli assured fans that the core narrative flows seamlessly. “We’ve kept all the emotional peaks and thrilling highs intact,” he shared. “It’s just the bits that didn’t propel the story forward that we let go of—making it tighter and more immersive.”
Quashing rumors of major overhauls, Rajamouli confirmed no brand-new footage was shot. However, eagle-eyed viewers will spot a subtle addition: a brief intercut during Sivudu’s dramatic arrival in Mahishmati, spotlighting Nassar alongside a soldier. It’s a fan-service nod that’s sure to spark cheers.
And for those craving more from the Baahubali universe? The film’s interval teases the franchise’s next adventure—an animated spectacle called Baahubali: The Eternal War. Helmed by director Ishan Shukla and backed by producer Shobu Yarlagadda with a ₹12 crore budget, this high-stakes tale is locked in for a 2027 release. Get ready, because the legend isn’t over—it’s evolving!
