SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali is a blockbuster in every sense. The film’s sequel, Baahubali: The Conclusion has had several overseas releases, and its recent milestone comes from Japan.
The film recently clocked its 100th day, emerging as the third highest grossing Indian film of all time in Japan, the other two being Superstar Rajinikanth’s Muthu (1995) and Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots (2005).
Japan has always welcomed Indian films with much enthusiasm and warmth. Actor Rajinikanth enjoys a superstar status in the country where his film Muthu is more popularly known as the Dancing Maharaja. Baahubali, too has entered Japan’s popular culture and the franchise now has its own merchandise.
Overwhelmed by its response, its director SS Rajamouli recently attended a “screaming screening” of the film in Japan. He also posted a video on his Twitter and Instagram handles. The video shows the fans cheering and enthusiastically chanting ‘Baahubali’.
Thanks to our Japanese distributors @movietwin2 for the humble reception. Attending "screaming screening" of #Baahubali2 in sometime.
— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) April 26, 2018
I’ll be live on my Instagram from the screening place in a while...
https://t.co/B2UEXYMEiZ
So happy to meet all the fans and film enthusiasts who made it to the #Baahubali2 screaming screening in Tokyo, Japan last night.
— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) April 27, 2018
The love for movies surpasses boundaries... Happy day.. :) pic.twitter.com/iau7UAPNZG
Several fans of the fantasy film also took to Twitter to express their happiness in having met its makers.
@ssrajamouli @Shobu_ @movietwin2 @shinpicca @V8Japan @_nikiniku @ChoJi_clove @tkmr0108 @sugwi @komagari_zakka
— すー【4/26絶叫参戦創造神を称えよ】 (@su3surya) April 26, 2018
マヒシュマティ王国創造主＆王国民の皆様と素敵な時間を共有できて幸せでした！皆様どうもありがとうございました
Baahubali Jai Ho #バーフバリ絶叫 #BaahubaliJapan pic.twitter.com/WeXxMbWdHh
わ～！
— メガネ屋のおばさんシバコ (@lXquRCDGD4OC0gi) April 26, 2018
ラージャマウリ監督の登場からご挨拶と通訳さんまで動画をあげてくださってありがとうございまーす！#Baahubali2#Baahubalijapan https://t.co/1l9akh3TAk
おはようございマヒシュマティ〜！
— や-1（武活用） (@ya_1_b) April 25, 2018
舞台挨拶行かれる方々、創造主を称えまくってきてくだされーい( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ#バーフバリ#Baahubali #Baahubali2#BaahubaliJapan pic.twitter.com/1iQlbhBde5
本日こんな感じの持ち物になりそうです。お会いできた方にばどらチョコをお渡しできたらいいなと思っております#バーフバリ絶叫 #BaahubaliJapan pic.twitter.com/DHVY3rBdbf
— ササ4/26昼 (@sasa_baah) April 25, 2018
Late actor Sreedevi too enjoys popularity in Japan, thanks to her 2012 comeback film English Vinglish. Other blockbusters include Aamir Khan’s PK and Dangal.
Produced by Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni under the banner Arka Media Works, Baahubali was made on a budget of Rs 250 crore. The film was released in various languages including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam.
Baahubali: the Conclusion was not only a commercial success but was critically acclaimed as well. The film went on to win the Telstra People's Choice Award at the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. It premiered at the British Film Institute, and at the 39th Moscow International Film Festival, it was the inaugural feature film.
Baahubali: The Conclusion was released in Japan on December 29 and on January 4 in Russia. In China, it is being reported that it will hit screens on May 4.