Baahubali: Before the Beginning – The ₹300 Crore Epic That Never Was**

In 2018, Netflix announced an ambitious project that promised to expand the Baahubali universe—a multi-season prequel titled *Baahubali: Before the Beginning*. Based on Anand Neelakantan’s novels *The Rise of Sivagami*, *Chaturanga*, and *Queen of Mahishmathi*, the series aimed to delve into the origins of Queen Sivagami, exploring her journey from a vengeful girl to a wise and powerful queen. With SS Rajamouli, the visionary director behind the original Baahubali films, attached as a producer, expectations were sky-high.

The Grand Vision

The series was envisioned as a two-season epic, with Season 1 comprising nine episodes. The narrative was set against the backdrop of Mahishmati’s transformation from a city-state to a mighty empire, intertwining power, politics, and intrigue. The production was set to match the grandeur of the films, promising high production values, spectacular visuals, and the expansive storytelling that made the Baahubali franchise a global phenomenon.

A Troubled Production Journey

Production commenced in September 2018, with Mrunal Thakur cast as the lead. Director Deva Katta was initially at the helm, and massive sets were constructed in Hyderabad at a cost exceeding ₹100 crore. However, after six months of shooting and extensive post-production work, the team decided to shelve Deva Katta’s version due to dissatisfaction with the results. The entire investment was written off, and the project was re-envisioned with a new creative direction.

In 2021, Kunal Deshmukh and Ribhu Dasgupta were brought in as directors, and Wamiqa Gabbi replaced Mrunal Thakur as Sivagami. Despite these changes, the series faced continued challenges. Reports indicated that the pre-production work did not align with Netflix’s vision for the period drama, leading to further delays and revisions.

The Final Blow

By 2022, after years of development and escalating costs, Netflix decided to shelve the project entirely. Sources revealed that the total investment had ballooned to approximately ₹300 crore—surpassing the combined budgets of *Baahubali: The Beginning* and *Baahubali: The Conclusion*. Despite the massive expenditure, the series never saw the light of day.

Industry insiders speculated that Netflix’s decision was influenced by the fear of tarnishing the Baahubali legacy. The franchise had achieved iconic status, and any misstep could have been detrimental. A source close to the project stated, “Baahubali is a cult in today’s time, and they didn’t want to take the risk of meddling with something that has an iconic status. They may revisit it again, but this time around, only when the material on paper is strong enough to justify the legacy” .

The Unreleased Epic

*Baahubali: Before the Beginning* stands as one of the most ambitious and expensive projects in Indian digital entertainment history. Despite the extensive investments and efforts, the series remains unfinished and unreleased. The saga of its troubled production serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of adapting a beloved franchise into a new medium, and the challenges of meeting the high expectations set by its predecessors.

For fans of the Baahubali universe, the question remains: What could have been? The unreleased series, with its grand vision and substantial investment, could have potentially rivaled the films in scale and storytelling. However, as of now, it remains a monumental project lost to the annals of what might have been.