SS Rajamouli has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of Indian filmmaking, and his upcoming epic Varanasi appears set to achieve another historic milestone. The filmmaker has revealed that the Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer is being shot entirely using IMAX cameras, making it the first non-English film to be produced completely in the premium large-format technology.
The announcement places Varanasi in rare company. According to Rajamouli, only Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has previously been filmed entirely in IMAX, making the upcoming Indian epic just the second movie worldwide to accomplish the feat. The decision also reflects the filmmaker’s ambition to deliver a theatrical experience designed specifically for the biggest screens.
Rajamouli Says the Story Deserves a Grand Cinematic Experience
Speaking about the project during an interview with Tsounami, Rajamouli explained that the team deliberately avoided revealing major story details while unveiling the film’s title. Instead of releasing a conventional teaser filled with plot points, the filmmaker wanted audiences to experience the scale and atmosphere of the movie without knowing exactly where the story would go.
“I didn’t want to reveal too much because it wouldn’t do justice to the film. Instead, we made a video showing the kind of experience audiences can expect, without revealing the story.”
That philosophy has shaped the film’s promotional campaign so far. Since announcing the title, the makers have largely focused on introducing the film’s world and visual ambition rather than revealing major narrative twists, allowing curiosity around the project to continue building.
Varanasi Production Nears the Finish Line
Rajamouli also offered a significant update on the film’s progress, revealing that production has entered its final stretch. According to the director, around 80 percent of the movie has already been completed, with the remaining portions currently being filmed.
He also shared how the production has been carefully organised to keep work moving efficiently. Every completed sequence is immediately edited before being transferred to the visual effects department, allowing multiple teams to work simultaneously instead of waiting until principal photography concludes.
“Every completed sequence is immediately edited and sent to the visual effects team, allowing different departments to work in parallel and keep the production on schedule.”
Providing another update on filming, Rajamouli added:
“We’ve finished the biggest action scenes. We still have the smaller scenes and everything in between. We’ve shot about 80 percent of the film; the other 20 percent is in progress.”
The workflow highlights the enormous scale of Varanasi, where visual effects are expected to play a crucial role alongside large-scale practical filmmaking.
Mahesh Babu’s Biggest Film Yet
Varanasi marks Mahesh Babu’s first collaboration with SS Rajamouli, a pairing that has generated enormous excitement ever since the project was announced. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles, bringing together actors from multiple industries for what is expected to be one of India’s biggest multilingual productions.
The makers previously unveiled the film’s title during a Hyderabad event titled “Globetrotter,” where Mahesh Babu’s character was also introduced. Later, on Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ birthday, fans were treated to her first look as Mandakini, offering another glimpse into the film’s expansive universe.
Although Rajamouli continues to keep most of the story under wraps, he has already confirmed that Varanasi will feature time travel, Antarctica and Ancient Rome, hinting at a globe-spanning adventure unlike anything previously attempted in Indian cinema. Combined with its IMAX-first production approach, the project is shaping up to be one of the country’s most technically ambitious films.
Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027, Varanasi carries enormous expectations not only because it reunites one of India’s biggest directors with a superstar cast, but also because it aims to raise the bar for large-format filmmaking on a global scale.
Q&A
Why is Varanasi making headlines?
The film is being shot entirely on IMAX cameras, making it the first non-English movie to achieve the milestone.
Who stars in Varanasi?
The film features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles.
How much of Varanasi has been completed?
SS Rajamouli revealed that around 80 percent of the film has been shot.
What has SS Rajamouli said about the teaser?
He said the teaser was designed to showcase the film’s cinematic experience without revealing major story details.
What themes will Varanasi explore?
Rajamouli has confirmed the film includes time travel, Antarctica and Ancient Rome as part of its story.
When will Varanasi release?
Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
