SS Rajamouli Showcases Varanasi’s Breathtaking Set, Reveals IMAX Ambitions

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Everyone was talking about Varanasi last November. That’s what it felt like when S.S. Rajamouli, one of India’s most celebrated directors, revealed his new film to a huge crowd in Hyderabad. Over ten thousand fans packed a specially constructed outdoor venue to watch the first trailer for the Mahesh Babu-starring movie in its original IMAX format. Their enthusiastic reaction to the three-minute clip made it seem like the film could be the biggest hit ever.

Even just having director Rajamouli attached to the film Varanasi guarantees it will be a major hit in India, but the star power of the cast takes it to the next level. Mahesh Babu is incredibly popular – he’s basically the biggest star in Telugu cinema, with a fanbase in Hyderabad comparable to Taylor Swift’s in the US. Priyanka Chopra is India’s highest-earning actress, and Varanasi marks her return to Indian films after seven years of working in Hollywood. Finally, Prithviraj Sukumaran is a highly experienced actor, having appeared in over 100 films throughout his career.

To celebrate the announcement of Varanasi and share a first look, ScreenRant traveled over 8,000 miles to Hyderabad. We spoke with director Rajamouli and toured the Varanasi set to learn about India’s most ambitious film project yet.

SS Rajamouli Shatters The Glass Ceiling Of Filmmaking With Varanasi

“I have been known push for the boundaries…”

For 25 years, S.S. Rajamouli has been a successful filmmaker, starting with the 2001 film Student No. 1. His last three movies—the Baahubali series and RRR—have made him one of the most acclaimed directors in the industry, breaking box office records and even earning an Academy Award nomination. His upcoming film, Varanasi, is expected to be India’s most expensive, and Rajamouli believes his team’s proven success has given production companies confidence in his vision.

From early in my career, I’ve always aimed to create films that stretch what’s possible, even if it means exceeding typical budget limits. With Baahubali, we really took that to the next level, and it paid off. The production companies have learned to trust my vision – they know that even with larger budgets, we consistently deliver a return on their investment. My team and I have repeatedly demonstrated this ability. It’s not just about a strict business approach; it’s the personal trust and confidence people have in me that allows us to achieve these ambitious projects.

A large part of the film’s budget is going towards creating the sets for Varanasi. Varanasi is a sacred city in northern India, and to avoid disturbing pilgrims, the filmmakers completely rebuilt it in Hyderabad for shooting.

Rajamouli has a strong belief in his audience, extending beyond just his production work. He told ScreenRant that his upcoming film, Varanasi, will be approximately three hours long and offer a complete, satisfying narrative. He’s confident viewers will stay engaged throughout the entire movie.

When asked about potentially dividing Varanasi into two movies, Rajamouli explained they quickly dismissed the idea. He believes it’s meant to be a single, unique film. He emphasized that audience engagement with the characters and world is far more important than the movie’s length. If viewers aren’t captivated, they won’t stay interested, regardless of how short or long it is. Rajamouli feels that a director’s ability to draw the audience into the story is the key, not the runtime.

Varanasi Is Filmed For Authentic IMAX Screens

“We realized we needed a bigger format to encapture their magnificance…”

Although details about the plot of Varanasi are being kept secret, the film’s impressive visual format is being heavily promoted. Varanasi is being shot for true IMAX, using the expansive 1.43:1 aspect ratio.

Rajamouli explained that as they developed the various settings for the film, which he referred to as “worlds” rather than a single “world” due to the story’s scope, they quickly understood they needed a larger display format to truly capture their grandeur. IMAX immediately came to mind, but India lacked enough large screens. So, they ambitiously decided to build their own—a massive 100-foot by 130-foot screen—specifically to showcase the teaser.

Rajamouli shared his hopes that India will have a 1.43:1 IMAX screen ready by the April 2027 release of his film in Varanasi.

Rajamouli explained that in India, a protest called a ‘dharna’ involves setting up tents outside someone’s office to demand something. He jokingly said he’d do the same outside IMAX in Los Angeles, demanding that India receive more large-screen theaters. ‘We need big screens in India!’ he exclaimed.

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2026-02-04 19:00