What is Netflix's Baahubali: The Torchbearer? All we know so far

Bahubali: The Torchbearer will premiere on Netflix on June 26 as a documentary on the franchise's journey. It is expected to revisit the making, cultural impact and decade-long legacy of SS Rajamouli's path-breaking Baahubali, starring Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, among others.

In Short

• Bahubali: The Torchbearer will premiere on Netflix on June 26
• Producer Shobu Yarlagadda has described it as a celebration of the franchise's 10-year journey
• Fans are eager to see whether it can recreate the impact of RRR: Behind & Beyond on OTT

After SS Rajamouli’s global blockbuster RRR got a documentary exploring its making and journey, another landmark film from the filmmaker is now set to receive a similar treatment. More than 10 years after Baahubali reshaped Indian cinema, Baahubali: The Torchbearer is gearing up for its premiere on Netflix on June 26.

The announcement generated excitement and curiosity in equal measure. While Netflix and the makers have largely kept details under wraps, fans of the franchise have been actively speculating about what exactly the project will explore.

Some initially wondered whether it was connected to Baahubali: The Epic, the combined version of Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. However, the separate branding and promotional campaign suggest that The Torchbearer is an entirely different project altogether.

Interestingly, producer Shobu Yarlagadda had earlier shared some clues about the project during an interaction with Gulte. According to him, the documentary focusses on how Baahubali impacted the artists, technicians and everyone associated with the franchise. He also described it as a celebration of the film's 10-year journey, its creative process and its influence on popular culture. Yarlagadda added that members of the cast and crew would be part of the project.

Those comments have led many to believe that The Torchbearer will revisit the making of the franchise while also exploring the cultural phenomenon it became. Fans are expecting behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, unseen footage and insights into how Rajamouli and his team built the world of Mahishmati.

The anticipation surrounding the project is also linked to the enduring popularity of the franchise. Released in 2015 and 2017, the two Baahubali films transformed Prabhas into a pan-India star and set new benchmarks for Indian cinema's scale and ambition. The films enjoyed tremendous success both in India and overseas, helping Indian cinema reach wider global audiences.

Here's the trailer:

Even after a decade, the franchise continues to draw audiences. Released as part of the 10-year celebrations on October 31, 2025, Baahubali: The Epic, a remastered single-film version combining both movies, grossed around Rs 49 crore worldwide and approximately Rs 31 crore nett (gross minus taxes) in India, emerging as one of the most successful re-releases in recent years.

Naturally, comparisons are already being drawn with RRR: Behind & Beyond, which was released in selected theatres in 2024. While the documentary's theatrical run was underwhelming, it found a much larger audience after arriving on OTT platforms, reigniting conversations about the film and its global success. Whether Baahubali: The Torchbearer can achieve a similar impact remains to be seen.

For many viewers, Baahubali remains more than just a film franchise. Its memorable characters, emotional storytelling, visual spectacle and iconic moments helped create one of Indian cinema's most enduring legacies. If Baahubali: The Torchbearer succeeds in capturing that journey, it could offer fans another opportunity to relive the magic of Mahishmati and understand how the franchise became a phenomenon that continues to resonate around the world.

- Ends