The legacy of Bahubali continues to dominate the box office, even a decade after its first release. Director S. S. Rajamouli’s cinematic marvel has once again proven its timeless appeal as Bahubali – The Epic, a special re-release combining Bahubali: The Beginning and Bahubali: The Conclusion into a single 3-hour-45-minute feature, stormed theatres with record-breaking collections on Day 1.
A historic start for a re-release
According to trade reports, Bahubali – The Epic collected an impressive ₹9.25 crore on its opening day across India, making it the biggest ever Day 1 for a re-released film. This performance surpasses the previous record set by Pawan Kalyan’s Gabbar Singh, which had grossed ₹5.75 crore upon its re-release.
The reimagined screening celebrates the film’s 10th anniversary, offering audiences a condensed and seamless experience of Rajamouli’s two-part saga that revolutionised Indian cinema.
Box office glory across regions
The Bahubali phenomenon is not limited to India. In North America, where Bahubali 2 still holds the record as the highest-grossing Indian film, the re-release also made waves. Early estimates indicate that Bahubali – The Epic minted over USD 100,000 by early evening on Day 1, with premiere shows alone collecting nearly USD 500,000.
In India, the film performed exceptionally well in the Telugu and Tamil markets, reaffirming Prabhas’s continued popularity. However, it couldn’t surpass the Hindi-language re-release record, which remains with Harshvardhan Rane’s Sanam Teri Kasam that had an opening day haul of ₹4.5 crore. Bahubali – The Epic earned ₹1.4 crore from its Hindi screenings.
The unbeatable legacy of Bahubali
During its original release, Bahubali: The Beginning (2015) broke barriers by blurring the lines between regional and national cinema. Two years later, Bahubali: The Conclusion (2017) made history by becoming the first Hindi-dubbed film to cross ₹500 crore and the first Indian film ever to surpass ₹1,000 crore worldwide.
The franchise transformed the careers of its cast — Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sathyaraj, Ramya Krishnan, and Nassar — while also setting a new benchmark for Indian filmmaking in terms of visual storytelling, scale, and technical excellence.
Revival of the epic
The anniversary re-release, Bahubali – The Epic, has been curated by Rajamouli to provide a grand theatrical experience for both old fans and new viewers. Enhanced visuals and sound, along with a continuous narrative, make the film feel fresh despite its familiar story.
Trade analysts believe the film’s strong Day 1 performance signals an extended successful run. “Given the nostalgic pull and the festive season, Bahubali – The Epic is likely to emerge as India’s highest-grossing re-released film,” noted a senior trade expert.
Looking ahead
Meanwhile, actor Prabhas is already generating buzz for his next big project, tentatively titled Fauzi, which is expected to be another large-scale action spectacle.
With Bahubali – The Epic continuing to draw packed audiences, it’s evident that Rajamouli’s masterpiece remains unmatched in its cultural and cinematic impact.