Varanasi Global Event Recap
S.S. Rajamouli is not just popular, he’s one of the most celebrated and influential directors in Indian cinema. He's known for gripping and emotionally-powerful action-oriented epics such as Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), and RRR (2022).
The latter became a global phenomenon that won an Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu”) and earned massive international acclaim.
Now, Rajamouli is back with his follow-up, which he revealed is titled Varanasi.
Directed by S.S. Rajamouli and co-written with V. Vijayendra Prasad, the film has been described as an epic science-fiction globetrotting action-adventure which draws from Hindu mythology and uses time-travel as a key element.
Mahesh Babu is starring in the pic, having dual roles as both Rudhra and Lord Rama.
Rajamouli has previously stated that one of the film's inspirations is Indiana Jones.
Varanasi is currently scheduled to be released in India on March 25, 2027. Variance Films typically handles the North American distribution of Rajamouli's films so keep your eyes peeled to their social accouts for breaking info.
Varanasi Technical Details
With a reported budget of around ₹1,000 crore (about $120 million), the film is on track to become the most expensive production in Indian cinema. The film was also reportedly filmed specifically for IMAX theaters. Filming kicked off in January 2025 in Hyderabad. The production also filmed on location in Kenya and Odisha.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas On her role in Varanasi
On her role in the production, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has stated, "As I’m sure you’ve already noticed, I’m so happy to be back making this movie in my beloved India. The best and only way to do Telugu cinema is to do it with the greats...Rajamouli sir, all I’ll say is you are truly the visionary that has brought Indian cinema to the globe like no one else has before. So I thank you so much for choosing me as your Mandakini...Not just from all over India, but from around the world, this is the land where ‘CINEMA’ is a CELEBRATION."