India’s most expensive web series, made for Rs…, was never released due to…, cost more than Pathaan, Baahubali, Pushpa, Animal, Chhava, name is…

Ever since the rise of OTT platforms, audiences have become accustomed to watching web series. Now, with streaming media taking the upper hand over traditional forms of entertainment, many big names from Hindi and South cinema have ventured into the OTT space. This has resulted in a rise in the budgets of movies and series being produced. While everyone knows that films like Kalki 2898 AD, RRR, and Adipurush are counted among the costliest films ever made in India, do you know which is India’s most expensive web series? If not, then keep scrolling to find out.

India’s Most Expensive Web Series

In 2018, the OTT giant Netflix announced one of its most-anticipated projects, based on the 2017 and 2020 novels The Rise of Sivagami, Chaturanga, and Queen of Mahishmathi—a multi-season adaptation of Anand Neelakantan’s books. The series, serving as a prequel to the Baahubali franchise, was titled Baahubali: Before the Beginning and was produced by SS Rajamouli.

The Plot

The series revolved around a young Sivagami and her journey, during which she comes face-to-face with Katappa and eventually ties the knot with Bijjaladeva. In September 2018, the production of the series began, and Mrunal Thakur was roped in for the role of Sivagami, along with Deva Katta and Praveen Sattaru as directors.

The Budget

Initially, the makers decided on a budget of Rs 100 crore for the series. Later, Wamiqa Gabbi also became part of the project, and the streamer approved the revamped version with an increased budget of Rs 200 crore. Changes in production were made as well, and a new director—Kunal Deshmukh—was given the chair.

According to a report in Variety, Netflix began to have major doubts about the show and its feasibility. Not only that, but they also struggled to find the right director. With that, the OTT platform began ‘re-evaluating’ the show’s fate in 2022. Director Kunal also opted out, and by 2024, no official update about the series had been made. As a result, the Netflix project was shelved, without even the first season being completed.

Before the series was shelved, Baahubali: Before the Beginning went through two different casts, three directors, and a skyrocketing budget of Rs 300 crore.

The budget even exceeded the Rs 250 crore spent on Baahubali: The Beginning and went well beyond the production costs of films such as Pathaan and Pushpa: The Rise (both estimated at Rs 220–250 crore).

 

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