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S.S. Rajamouli Unveils His Most Ambitious Film Yet — VARANASI

Hyderabad: Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, the director who put Indian cinema on the global map with RRR and Baahubali, has announced his next mega-project — “VARANASI”,...

Nov 16
2 min read
S.S. Rajamouli Unveils His Most Ambitious Film Yet — VARANASI

Hyderabad: Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, the director who put Indian cinema on the global map with RRR and Baahubali, has announced his next mega-project — “VARANASI”, a mythic time-travel adventure mounted on an unprecedented scale. The title reveal and first look were launched at a massive event in Hyderabad on Saturday, drawing thousands of fans.

Earlier known by its working title “Globe Trotter”, the film’s four-minute first-look video showcased Rajamouli’s signature blend of mythology, spectacle, and high-concept storytelling. The title references Varanasi — the spiritual capital of Hinduism — and the movie includes sequences inspired by a key episode of the Ramayana, Rajamouli hinted.

The film is being shot for IMAX, with a release planned for 2027.

Star-Studded Cast Revealed

Rajamouli has assembled one of the most powerful casts in recent Indian cinema:

Mahesh Babu

  • His first collaboration with Rajamouli

  • Appears as a blood-soaked warrior riding a white bull with a trident

  • Made an entry at the event atop a mechanical bull

  • Called the film “a once-in-a-lifetime project”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

  • Returns to Indian cinema after several Hollywood ventures

  • Plays Mandakini — seen in the poster wearing a mustard sari, holding a pistol on a cliff-edge

  • Addressed fans at the event, drawing huge applause

Prithviraj Sukumaran

  • Also plays a key role, seen alongside the lead cast during the unveiling

A Festival-Like Launch Event

The first-look screening happened on a 110x130 ft giant screen, with replicas of Varanasi ghats built around it.

  • Fans danced, fireworks lit the sky, and Telugu music filled the venue

  • Thousands traveled from across villages, towns, and states to witness Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli

“It’s not Tollywood anymore. It’s global now,” said a fan, reflecting the industry’s rising international stature.

Rajamouli’s Global Track Record

  • RRR (2022) became a worldwide phenomenon and won an Oscar

  • Baahubali (2015–17) redefined Indian cinema’s scale, with a reedited international version (Baahubali: The Epic) releasing worldwide last month

  • His films fuse mythology, action, and visual effects in a way that has won fans across continents

With VARANASI, Rajamouli appears set to push boundaries even further.