Baahubali
Yash Raj Films wanted to acquire the rights to the Hindi version of Facebook/Baahubali

SS Rajamouli's "Baahubali: The Conclusion" (Baahubali 2) is one of the biggest and most awaited films, thanks to the blockbuster success of the first part "Baahubali: The Beginning." Thus, several big production companies were in the race to bag the rights of the second instalment, including Dharma Productions and Yash Raj Films.

Karan Johar's Dharma Production and Aditya Chopra's Yash Raj Films (YRF) were the front-runners to bag the production rights of "Baahubali 2," but the former walked away with the deal after much debate and speculation, reports Spotboye.

The filmmaker on Friday took to Twitter to confirm the deal and simultaneously announced the release date of Prabhas-Rana Daggubati starrer "Baahubali: The Conclusion."

"Dharma Productions and AA films are honoured and proud to associate once again with the genius @ssrajamouli 's vision," Karan tweeted, adding: ".@BaahubaliMovie The Conclusion releases on the 28th of April 2017 @arkamediaworks @Shobu_ #Prasad @dharmamovies"

Interestingly, Karan had bagged the rights of "Baahubali" last year as well for a whopping amount. Dharma Productions released the Hindi version in the Northern region. The Hindi version, which became a huge success, opened well and went on to cross Rs. 100 crore mark, making it the first dubbed film to achieve that mark in India.

Originally made in Telugu, "Baahubali 2" will be directed by Rajamouli. The second instalment, which is set for April 28, 2017 release, will also feature an ensemble cast starring Prabhas, Rana, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj, Nassar and Tanikella Bharani. Apart from the Hindi version, the film will be released in Tamil and Malayalam as well.