Arka Media Works names Dream Theatre licensing partner for Baahubali

MUMBAI: Arka Media Works has appointed Dream Theatre Pvt. Ltd. as the licensing and brand partnerships partner for the Baahubali franchise, as the blockbuster property expands into animation, consumer products and new audience experiences.

Under the partnership, Dream Theatre will serve as the exclusive licensing and merchandising partner for India and as a strategic partner for international licensing, sponsorships, brand associations, promotional tie-ups and co-branded initiatives.

The partnership covers the existing Baahubali franchise as well as the upcoming two-part CGI animated film Baahubali: The Eternal War – Part 1 and Part 2.

The Baahubali film franchise has grossed more than Rs 2,400 crore worldwide and built a substantial audience across India and international markets. Arka Media Works is now extending the universe into animation with The Eternal War, directed by Ishan Shukla.

The two-part animated epic takes Baahubali’s story into a new setting, following the character after death as he enters the afterlife and encounters a conflict spanning 14 realms of existence. Drawing from Indian mythology, the film develops a new visual world through stylised CGI animation.

The project was also selected for the Work in Progress programme at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026, giving the film an early international platform and showcasing its visual approach.

As part of the licensing mandate, Dream Theatre will work with Arka Media Works to develop consumer products across categories including apparel, collectibles, figures, bags, stationery, publishing, gaming and experiential initiatives.

The companies will also explore sponsorships, brand associations, promotional collaborations and co-branded opportunities around the franchise.

The aim is to create new ways for audiences to engage with the Baahubali universe while building a broader consumer products and partnerships ecosystem around both the established franchise and The Eternal War.

Baahubali creator S.S. Rajamouli said the franchise has always had the potential to expand beyond films, while The Eternal War provides a new avenue to explore its world and create new audience experiences.

Arka Media Works CEO Shobu Yarlagadda said licensing will play an important role in taking the Baahubali universe in new directions. He added that Dream Theatre’s experience in licensing programmes and brand partnerships made it a suitable partner for the franchise’s expansion across India and international markets.

Dream Theatre founder & CEO Jiggy George said the established identity and audience of Baahubali, combined with the new possibilities opened up by the animated films, could create opportunities across products, partnerships and experiences.

With Dream Theatre taking charge of licensing and merchandising in India, the partnership positions Baahubali for a wider consumer-facing push beyond screens. The upcoming animated films could further give the franchise fresh characters, stories and visual worlds to build products and brand associations around.