A decade after its release, Baahubali continues to achieve something almost unheard of in Indian cinema.
According to reports, Netflix is releasing a docuseries Baahubali: The Torch Bearer, premiering on June 26. It is yet another example of how the franchise keeps generating value for its creators long after its theatrical run ended.
Most films complete their life cycle within a few weeks. They earn from theatrical revenue, satellite rights, OTT deals, and eventually fade into cinema history. Baahubali has followed a completely different trajectory.
From theatrical re-releases and anniversary screenings to streaming rights, documentaries, merchandise, books, exhibitions, and constant global discussions, the franchise continues to create fresh revenue streams years after its release. Very few Indian films have managed to remain commercially relevant for such a long period.
In many ways, Baahubali has evolved beyond being just a movie. It became a brand, a cultural phenomenon, and a benchmark for large-scale Indian filmmaking.
One has to remember that before Baahubali, the idea of a Telugu film becoming a nationwide event was still largely a dream. The franchise changed that forever. It opened the doors for films like KGF, Pushpa, Kantara, RRR, and several other pan-India successes that followed.
That is why a documentary on the making and legacy of Baahubali itself carries audience interest. People are not merely revisiting a film; they are revisiting a turning point in Indian cinema.
When discussing long-running revenue generators, Sholay is perhaps the only Indian film that comes close. The classic continued earning money for years through re-runs, television broadcasts, home video releases, and special screenings.
But Baahubali may have taken that phenomenon to another level.
The scale of its global reach, digital monetization, streaming partnerships, and continued brand value is something Indian cinema has rarely witnessed before. Even today, producers continue to find new ways to monetize the franchise without audiences completely losing interest.
Many blockbusters become successful movies. Only a handful become intellectual properties that continue generating revenues for years. Baahubali belongs firmly in the second category.
The arrival of Baahubali: The Torch Bearer is proof that the franchise is still alive, still relevant, and still minting money for its makers.
