3 February 2015
Hyderabad
Arka Mediaworks and acclaimed filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli, announced a partnership with leading character entertainment company, Graphic India to take to epic blockbuster film Baahubali: The Beginning, beloved by millions of fans across the country, and extend it s story world beyond movies into original comic books, novels, animation and video games.
Graphic, currently in production on a number of digital comics and mobile shorts which will be released later this year, is working on various trans-media opportunities and partnerships for the film property across gaming, digital content, novels and merchandise.
“Extending the World of Baahubali beyond movies allows us to reach a larger audiences and that is really exciting for me,” said director SS Rajamouli. “We are happy to be collaborating with Graphic India who I believe have the best knowledge and experience in this space”.
CEO of Arka Mediaworks, Shobu Yarlagadda said “Having created so many iconic stories and characters, there is no one more equipped than Graphic India, to take the story of Baahubali forward. We are very excited for what's to come.”
Graphic and Arka are also working on a larger animated project, tentatively entitled, “Baahubali: the Lost Legends,” which is being developed and produced by Rajamouli, Shobu Yarlagadda, and Graphic India Co-Founder Sharad Devarajan. More details on that project will be released in the coming months.
“The epic storytelling and groundbreaking visuals that S. S. Rajamouli created have captivated millions of fans including myself, and the future of Indian cinema shall now always be defined as ‘before Baahubali’ and ‘after Baahubali’. I am so deeply honored and humbled to work with, and learn from Rajamouli, Shobu and the Arka team as we bring their epic world into comics, animation and gaming,”added Graphic India Co-Founder & CEO, Sharad Devarajan. “Through comics and animation, millions of fans will finally be able to experience secret stories and hidden legends about the world and characters from Baahubali. Two brothers competing to rule the greatest kingdom of its age and the epic adventures they must endure to prove they are worthy to one day wear the crown. One shall rise to be King of the throne, while the other shall become King of the people.
Political intrigue, betrayal, war, action and adventure - through dense forests, epic mountain tops, raging seas and hidden underground caves, Prince Baahubali’s adventures will take him beyond what was seen in the film, exploring different kingdoms, fighting strange and deadly warriors, saving villages from tyrannical warlords, and rescuing the innocent from certain death.
Experience an age of legends and heroes; learn back stories and secrets about your favorite characters from the film and clues about the upcoming sequel.
ABOUT GRAPHIC INDIA
GRAPHIC INDIA is a character entertainment company focused on creating leading characters, comics and stories through mobile and digital platforms. Led by media entrepreneur Sharad Devarajan, Graphic India is owned by U.S. comic book Company, Liquid Comics LLC, CA Media LP, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG) and NYC Media Group, Start Media. The company’s partners and investors bring together decades of experience in building businesses in character entertainment, media and India.
Graphic believes that India is home to some of the most creative talent in the world, with more than 500 million people under the age of 25 and more than 850 million mobile phone users in the country. The Company’s mission is to create enduring stories and heroes that foster the imaginations and fuel the inspirations of a new globalized generation of youth in both India and around the world. www.GraphicIndia.com
Graphic’s stories include Chakra The Invincible, the first superhero for India from legendary creator Stan Lee, which launched on Cartoon Network and has over 40 million views from worldwide audiences on Angry Bird’s ToonsTV platform;Astra Force, created with legendary icon, Amitabh Bachchan and in production as an animated TV series for Disney; 18 Days, a reimagining of the great eastern epic, the Mahabharata, by acclaimed Batman writer, Grant Morrison; Devi, from acclaimed filmmaker, ShekharKapur; Ramayan 3392A.D., The Sadhu, Titans and The Leaves, all currently in development as Hollywood feature films; and numerous other heroes and stories.
ABOUT Arka Mediaworks:
Arka Mediaworks founded by Prasad Devineni and Shobu Yarlagadda is a leading TV and film production house based out of Hyderabad, India.
For over 15 years now Arka has been consistently producing prime time TV shows and movies in several languages including Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Marathi and Bengali.
It has produced commercially successful and critically acclaimed Telugu films such as Maryada Ramanna (remade into Hindi as Son of Sardar) and Vedam .
“Baahubali”, India’s most expensive film, is Arka’s most ambitious project till date. A two-part film, Part I – “Baahubali: The Beginning” released in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam simultaneously in 5000 plus screens world-wide and collecting over Rs 600 crores at the Box Office.
The highly anticipated part 2 of the film Baahubali: The Conclusion is currently under production.
