SS Rajamouli says his upcoming action-adventure Varanasi is five to six times bigger than RRR, but he expects to film it in fewer days. Speaking at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil, the director credited extensive preparation for keeping the Mahesh Babu-led production on a shorter shooting schedule despite its wider scope.
Rajamouli compared the two projects in unusually concrete terms. RRR required 315 shooting days, while Varanasi is being made in approximately 275 days—a difference of 40 days.
How Rajamouli Saved 40 Shooting Days
Explaining his approach, Rajamouli said:
“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.”
That represents roughly 13% fewer shooting days than RRR. Importantly, the comparison concerns filming time, not the overall production budget or the complete filmmaking process. More time spent preparing does not necessarily mean the film costs less to produce.
For a director known for elaborate action sequences, detailed pre-production can help coordinate visual effects, set construction and complex camera movements before filming begins. Rajamouli’s comments suggest that lessons learned while making RRR helped him approach the new production with greater clarity.
Why Varanasi Is Rajamouli’s Biggest Challenge Yet
The scale of Varanasi goes beyond its shooting locations. The story spans settings including Africa, Antarctica and the Indian city of Varanasi, incorporating time travel and elements from the Ramayana.
Speaking separately to Brazilian outlet Oxente Pipoca, Rajamouli explained that individual sequences demanded different research and filmmaking approaches. He compared the challenge to bringing six or seven distinct films together within a single narrative.
However, the spectacle is intended to support an emotional story involving a father-son relationship and a central romance.
The film stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, with Oscar-winning composer M. M. Keeravani handling the music.
Rajamouli recently revealed that approximately ten days of filming remained, indicating that the production is approaching completion. Post-production, particularly visual effects, will be another important stage for a project of this scale.
Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027. Following RRR‘s international success, Rajamouli’s biggest challenge will be ensuring that the expanded spectacle delivers a cohesive cinematic experience.
