Lights, action, animation! Rajamouli takes RRR into the anime world

India’s most celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli , known for delivering some of the biggest cinematic spectacles in Indian film history, is now looking beyond traditional live action filmmaking. After conquering mythology, historical fiction, and epic drama, the director appears ready to step into a new creative space inspired by the world of anime and animation.

Rajamouli has recently developed a fascination for animated storytelling after watching global hits like Demon Slayer , Attack on Titan , and Arcane . The scale, speed, and emotional intensity of anime seem to have impressed him deeply. For a filmmaker who constantly experiments with scale and imagination, the medium has opened up fresh storytelling possibilities.

During promotions for his upcoming film Varanasi , Rajamouli revealed that his 2022 global blockbuster RRR may return in a completely new format, as an anime adaptation . He shared that his team is already in discussions with Japanese studios to reimagine the film, with plans that could even expand into a full fledged animated series.

According to the director, anime helped him understand how stories can be told in a more dynamic and visually powerful manner. The freedom offered by animation, he believes, can elevate action, drama, and emotion beyond the limits of live action cinema. For a film like RRR , packed with larger than life moments, the shift to animation could unlock an entirely new experience for audiences.

Originally starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan as fictionalised pre independence revolutionaries, RRR became a global phenomenon , drawing viewers far beyond India and earning international acclaim. An anime version could further widen its reach, especially in countries where animation enjoys a massive fan base.

This is not Rajamouli’s first step into the animated space. His Baahubali franchise is already expanding through a two part CG animated spin off , Baahubali: The Eternal Ear , slated for release in 2027. These projects signal a broader vision to build stories that travel across formats and borders.

For now, the director remains focused on Varanasi , a mythology inspired epic loosely based on the Ramayana , scheduled to hit theatres on April 7, 2027. But if his latest plans take shape, Rajamouli’s next big leap could well redefine how Indian cinema connects with the world.

With every project, Rajamouli continues to push boundaries. And this time, his storytelling journey might unfold not just on screen, but in animation.