SS Rajamouli has revealed that only 10 days of shooting remain for his ambitious film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The filmmaker also discussed the enormous production challenges, describing the project as the equivalent of combining six or seven films into one.
Rajamouli shared the update during his visit to Brazil for the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, where he received the Leon Cakoff Award. Speaking to Brazilian publication Oxente Pipoca, he confirmed that filming is approaching completion.
Rajamouli Explains Why Varanasi Feels Like Six or Seven Films
Discussing the film’s scale, Rajamouli explained that individual sequences required completely different approaches to filmmaking.
From Antarctica and Africa to Varanasi, the story incorporates time travel, mythology and elaborate action sequences, each demanding extensive planning and research.
“Bringing them all together into a single film was our biggest challenge,” he said.
Unlike conventional productions where multiple sequences share similar technical requirements, Varanasi demanded distinct visual designs and filmmaking methods for its major set pieces.
The challenge, Rajamouli suggested, was ensuring these ambitious sequences ultimately functioned as one emotionally connected story rather than separate spectacles.
Varanasi Will Explore Father-Son Relationships and Romance
Beyond its large-scale action, Rajamouli revealed that the film’s emotional foundation revolves around a fractured father-son relationship that eventually finds reconciliation.
A romantic relationship between a young man and woman will also play an important role.
The filmmaker emphasized that emotional storytelling remains central to his approach, even when working with extraordinary visual spectacle.
He also clarified that although Varanasi contains elements associated with science fiction, it is fundamentally a fantasy adventure incorporating Indian mythology.
When Will Varanasi Release?
Filming began in February 2025, with production taking place across India and several international locations.
In June 2026, Rajamouli had revealed that approximately 80 shooting days remained. His latest update indicates that the production has made substantial progress.
Following the remaining schedule, the team will concentrate on post-production, including the extensive visual effects required for the film.
Produced by KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya, with music composed by MM Keeravaani, Varanasi is scheduled for worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
With principal photography nearing completion, attention now turns to how Rajamouli will bring his multiple cinematic worlds together on screen.
