Director SS Rajamouli received world acclaim after the release of the 2022 film ‘RRR’ and is now gearing up for the release of his adventure action drama ‘Varanasi’ with Mahesh Babu, Priyanaka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The ace filmmaker has now revealed that his upcoming film is much bigger in scale than his global blockbuster starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan.
SS Rajamouli says ‘Varanasi’ is bigger than ‘RRR’
According to a report by Gulte, while speaking at the 50th Sao Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil, the filmmaker said the ambitious adventure drama is around five to six times bigger than ‘RRR’ in every aspect. He also explained how detailed planning and preparation helped him complete the shoot in fewer days than his previous film, despite the larger scale of the project.
SS Rajamouli saved 40 shooting days
SS Rajamouli said his experience of making ‘RRR’ helped him approach ‘Varanasi’ with better preparation. He revealed that he spent more time on paperwork before filming, which helped him plan even the most challenging scenes as quoted by 123Telugu. “I did a lot more paperwork on ‘Varanasi’, going into filming even more prepared. We shot ‘RRR’ in 315 days and ‘Varanasi’, despite being bigger, in 275 days, saving 40 days,” he said.The preparation helped the team save time while working on a project that is significantly larger in scale.
About ‘Varanasi’ and its cast
Speaking of the film, ‘Varanasi’ brings SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu together for the first time. The upcoming time-travel adventure drama is expected to span locations including Varanasi, Africa and Antarctica. Reports suggest that the story revolves around the threat posed by a massive asteroid.Mahesh Babu plays Rudra, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas essays Mandakini. Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran will reportedly play the antagonist, Kumbha.The film also includes a special sequence inspired by the Ramayana, featuring the battle between Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna. Mahesh Babu is reportedly set to appear as Lord Rama in the sequence, although the makers have not officially confirmed these details.Additionally, ‘Varanasi’ marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ return to Indian cinema after an eight-year gap.
‘Varanasi’ budget and release details
The film is reportedly being made on a budget of around Rs 1,300–1,400 crore, though the makers have not officially confirmed the figure.Filmed in IMAX, ‘Varanasi’ is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027 in multiple languages.
