Baahubali: The Eternal Faces Kung Fu Panda Comparison, Director Addresses Claims

Director and animator Ishan Shukla has addressed the wave of online comparisons that surfaced shortly after the Baahubali: The Eternal teaser was screened in theatres alongside Baahubali: The Epic. Much of the online discussion centred on a specific scene showing Indra fighting a red, monstrous creature, with pillars and debris floating dramatically in mid-air. Several viewers felt the visuals closely resembled iconic sequences from Kung Fu Panda, particularly the jailbreak and bridge fight scenes.
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The comparison gained momentum on Reddit, where Shukla hosted an AMA session. When a fan directly asked whether the sequence was inspired by Kung Fu Panda, Shukla offered a direct and unexpected response. He said he has not watched the animated franchise at all, though he is aware of the ongoing discussion on social media. He explained that the similarities may stem from the use of floating debris and airborne combat in both scenes.

According to Shukla, this visual choice plays a crucial role in the narrative of Baahubali: The Eternal. He hinted that the floating environment holds deeper story relevance and urged audiences to wait for the final film to understand its significance.


The director also clarified another widely discussed detail. Many animation fans were excited by reports that artists associated with the Spider-Verse and Arcane teams had worked on the film. During the AMA, Shukla confirmed these claims. He explained that Alcyde, one of the studios involved in the Eternal War segment, includes artists who have previously contributed to major international projects such as Spider-Verse and Arcane. This revelation has further raised expectations around the film’s visual depth and world-building.

About Baahubali: The Eternal


The animated film is set after the events following Mahendra Baahubali’s death in the original Baahubali films. This chapter introduces a tense confrontation between Mahendra and Lord Indra, though the reason behind their clash has not yet been revealed, adding to the intrigue surrounding the project.

Baahubali: The Eternal is presented by SS Rajamouli and produced by Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni under Arka Media Works. The screenplay is written by Ishan Shukla and Sowmya Sharma, with Tamil and Telugu dialogues penned by Madan Karky and Deva Katta. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2027.