Indian cinema changed forever after the release of Baahubali: The Beginning in 2015 and its 2017 sequel Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. Directed by the brilliant S.S. Rajamouli, these two epic action films became milestones in Indian film history. With grand war scenes, strong emotional storytelling, and powerful performances, both films won the hearts of audiences and smashed box office records across the world.
However, after the release of Baahubali 2, some fans and viewers noticed something very interesting — the storyline and characters seemed to share a lot of similarities with Disney’s classic 1994 animated movie The Lion King. Let’s take a closer look at the most talked-about comparisons between Baahubali and The Lion King.
- Similar Storylines: A Prince Returns to Claim His Kingdom
Both films tell the story of a lost prince who returns to take his rightful place as king. In The Lion King, Simba runs away after his father’s death, thinking he was responsible. Years later, he comes back to defeat his evil uncle Scar and reclaim his throne.
In Baahubali, Mahendra Baahubali discovers his royal past and learns that his father was unfairly killed by his uncle Bhallaladeva. Like Simba, Mahendra returns to his kingdom to fight the villain and take back what’s rightfully his.
- The Villains Look Alike
Another interesting similarity is in the looks of the villains. In The Lion King, the main villain Scar has a big scar over one of his eyes. In Baahubali, the evil king Bhallaladeva, played by Rana Daggubati, also has a visible facial scar. Both characters are power-hungry and ruthless, doing everything they can to stay in power.
- The Love Interests Help the Hero Return
In both stories, the love interest plays a big role in pushing the hero toward his destiny. In The Lion King, Nala convinces Simba to go back and take responsibility for his kingdom. Similarly, in Baahubali, the hero (played by Prabhas) falls in love with Avantika (played by Tamannaah Bhatia), follows her, and ends up discovering the truth about his past. This inspires him to return and fight for justice.
- Grand Introduction of the Hero
The way the young princes are introduced to their people is also quite similar. In The Lion King, Rafiki lifts up baby Simba for all the animals to see, marking him as the future king. In Baahubali 2, Sivagami holds up baby Mahendra Baahubali and declares him as the future king of Mahishmati in a very dramatic scene.
Plot Summary of Baahubali 1 and 2
Baahubali: The Beginning tells the story of a young man who discovers he is the son of a brave warrior king. As he learns about his family’s past, he finds out that his father was betrayed by his own brother. The sequel, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, shows how the son takes revenge, rescues his mother, and fulfills his father’s dream by reclaiming the throne.
Plot Summary of The Lion King
The Lion King follows Simba, a young lion prince. After the death of his father Mufasa, Simba runs away, thinking he is to blame. Years later, he returns to the Pride Lands, defeats Scar, and becomes the rightful king.
Critics’ Ratings: Baahubali vs The Lion King
All three films received high praise from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes:
- Baahubali: The Beginning scored 91%
- Baahubali 2: The Conclusion got 88%
- The Lion King scored an impressive 93%
Where to Watch Baahubali and The Lion King
You can stream both Baahubali films on Netflix, JioCinema, Hotstar, and SonyLIV. The original The Lion King (1994) animated movie is available to watch on Disney+ Hotstar.
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