Baahubali 2: The Conclusion — Rajamouli's magnum opus set to make more than Rs 1000 crore?

There’s just two more days for the release of director S S Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion and the excitement in the air is palpable. [caption id=“attachment_3374332” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Prabhas in a poster for Baahubali 2: The Conclusion[/caption] Baahubali – The Beginning opened in more than 4000 screens in 2015 and went on to become India’s biggest blockbuster. Now, the second part of the film – which is set to release in 6500 + screens across India – is already being hailed for surpassing part 1 in its pre-release and possibly post-release business by Arka Mediaworks. Theatres are the big draw Take a look at the astounding business Baahubali – The Conclusion has reportedly done in its theatrical and TV rights in India. The Tamil Nadu theatrical rights have been reportedly sold for Rs 40 crore while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana rights have gone for a whopping Rs 130 crore. Karnataka will see the film release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and the business in the state was estimated at Rs 45 crore. The producers are now releasing the film there themselves post the protest by pro-Kannada groups. Meanwhile, Kerala has also been a good market for the film with the rights going for Rs 10 crore. [caption id=“attachment_3402974” align=“alignnone” width=“940”]  The entire cast of Baahubali 2.[/caption] When it comes to the Hindi film market, the theatrical rights of the film have not been sold to anyone. Karan Johar is presenting the film in Hindi and doing the distribution and marketing for the film (as he did for the first part of the film). Thus, he would be sharing a percentage of the revenues of the film with the film’s producer Arka Mediaworks.

It was reported that Dharma shared 10% of the revenues for the first part of the film. This time round, the percentage could be more.

As for the overseas film rights, North America (USA and Canada) has been sold for Rs 45 crore for the Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam versions. The USA has a huge Telugu-speaking population and the first part of the film grossed over US $ 8 million. There’s a buzz that this number could double this time round as Baahubali – The Conclusion is releasing in over 900 screens in the US. But then again, the tickets have been priced much higher – tickets for the second part of the film are priced between US$ 30 to 40, thus profits are likely to be lower. TV brings in the moolah  Superstar Rajinikanth’s 2.0 produced by Lyca Productions is another south movie that is making huge pre-release business. Recently, the Tamil, Hindi and Telugu satellite rights for 2.0, directed by Shankar, were sold for a massive Rs. 110 crore to Zee Television. And Baahubali – The Conclusion is trying to outdo these numbers. While all versions of Baahubali: The Beginning fetched only Rs 45 crore as satellite rights, this time round it’s different. Sony TV Network has paid Rs 51 crore for the Hindi satellite rights for the second part of the film. Star TV has got rights for Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil. Exact figures not known for these rights. [caption id=“attachment_3388990” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  A plot arc that will explored in Baahubali 2 will be one between Amarendra Baahubali and Devasena (played by Anushka Shetty).[/caption] April 28 – the big day When Baahubali – The Beginning released, it made Rs 56 crore worldwide on the first day from the box office.

But on April 28, the second part of the movie is estimated to gross more than Rs 100 crore worldwide on the first day itself.

In India, the Telugu version of the film is expected to rake in Rs 35 crore while the Hindi version would make about Rs 25 crore. The Tamil and Malayalam dubbed version could make about Rs 22 crore say trade analysts. Collections are expected to be record-breaking for the film with many trade pundits saying the second part of the film could look at making at least Rs 1000 crore totally. With the massive marketing and promotional efforts made globally for the film, the Rs 650 crore figure of part 1 could easily be surpassed. As of now, the pre-release business has already crossed Rs 500 crore. Made on a budget of Rs 250 crore, Baahubali – the Conclusion stars Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati, Sathyaraj, Ramya Krishnan and Tamannaah. Producer Shobu Yarlagadda had stated that they didn’t make any money with the first part of Baahubali. “We will make a lot of money with the second one. The cumulative budget of both films is around Rs 400-450 crores,” he told media. Baahubali – The Conclusion looks set to be the biggest Indian blockbuster in cinema history and revolutionise Indian cinema on the global platform. (Disclaimer: These are unconfirmed figures, heard from multiple sources. Arka Mediaworks has not released any official figures on pre-release business of the Baahubali films)