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19 clusters · 84 sources · 100 days · First seen 4 months ago · Last updated 6 days ago

Rajamouli's Varanasi film progress

Overview

Production on S.S. Rajamouli’s multilingual epic Varanasi remains on schedule for a worldwide theatrical release on 7 April 2027. The film, which blends mythology, history, and science fiction, features an ensemble cast including Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the historian Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha. In a significant technical milestone, Rajamouli announced that Varanasi will be filmed entirely using IMAX cameras. This makes it only the second feature film in history to be shot completely in the IMAX format and the first non-English language production to achieve this feat. The narrative follows Rudhra in a race against time as the city of Varanasi faces an imminent asteroid collision, named Shambhavi. The story is expected to span multiple continents, including Africa and Antarctica. By August 2026, Rajamouli confirmed that approximately 80% of the IMAX-formatted shoot is complete. To celebrate Mahesh Babu's 51st birthday, the production released character stills of Rudhra captured during filming in Africa, including Kenya's Maasai Mara and areas near Mount Kilimanjaro. Rajamouli described Rudhra as a complex figure who is “witty, vulnerable and fierce.” As the project moves toward completion, industry interest has intensified due to its massive commercial scale. Reports indicate that Telugu theatrical rights are being valued at approximately Rs. 320-325 crores, a high figure that necessitates significant box office returns to break even. Rajamouli has characterized the project as a “hard-core spectacle with emotion as its base,” specifically focusing on the bond between a father and son. For its global rollout, the production plans to release the film in approximately 120 countries. In a departure from modern trends, Rajamouli has decided against using AI-generated or synthetic voices for international versions.

Entities

Mahesh Babu · SS Rajamouli · Priyanka Chopra · Priyanka Chopra Jonas · Prithviraj Sukumaran

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Coverage disagrees

Sources make claims that cannot both be true. CLSTR reports the disagreement; it does not decide who is right.

"Mahesh Babu portrays the character Rudhra and the Hindu God Rama."

vs

"Director SS Rajamouli described the character Rudhra as witty, vulnerable, and fierce."

The claims conflict regarding which actor portrays the character Rudhra, as one attributes the character description to Rajamouli's depiction and the other assigns the role to Mahesh Babu.

[DISPUTED] Director SS Rajamouli described the character Rudhra as witty, vulnerable, and fierce.
[DISPUTED] Mahesh Babu portrays the character Rudhra and the Hindu God Rama.
[● 3 SOURCES] The film 'Varanasi' is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
[● 3 SOURCES] Filming for the movie included locations such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Maasai Mara in Africa.
[● 3 SOURCES] MM Keeravani is the composer for the film.
[● 2 SOURCES] Priyanka Chopra plays the character Mandakini.
[● 2 SOURCES] Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist, Kumbha.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mahesh Babu underwent three months of Kalari martial arts training to prepare for his role.

Timeline

6 days ago

[CULTURE] 4 sources
Varanasi film project eyes massive commercial scale
SS Rajamouli’s upcoming epic ‘Varanasi’, starring Mahesh Babu, is set for a 2027 release with massive theatrical rights valuations and a global production scale spanning seven countries.
20 days ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
SS Rajamouli to release Varanasi in 120 countries using human dubbing
Director SS Rajamouli plans to release his film ‘Varanasi’ in 120 countries using human voice artists for 50 language dubs, rejecting AI to preserve emotional performance.
21 days ago

[CULTURE] 9 sources
Priyanka Chopra discusses marriage and Bollywood reflections
Priyanka Chopra discusses the importance of cultural respect in her marriage to Nick Jonas and reflects on her experiences with Bollywood's culture of pretentiousness.
26 days ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Priyanka Chopra reflects on turning 40 and upcoming film Varanasi
Priyanka Chopra shared humorous reflections on turning 40 and announced her Tamil cinema debut in S. S. Rajamouli’s upcoming time-travel action film ‘Varanasi’, slated for release in 2027.
29 days ago

[CULTURE] 7 sources
SS Rajamouli to film ‘Varanasi’ entirely with IMAX cameras
Director SS Rajamouli will film his upcoming production ‘Varanasi’ entirely with IMAX cameras, making it the first non-English language film to be shot completely in the format.
about 1 month ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi film to be shot entirely for IMAX
Director SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film ‘Varanasi’, starring Mahesh Babu, is being shot entirely for IMAX, aiming to drive demand for premium large-format screens in India.
about 1 month ago

[CULTURE] 3 sources
Priyanka Chopra visits Mumbai temple during ‘Varanasi’ film shoot
Priyanka Chopra visited Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings during her stay in India for the filming of SS Rajamouli’s upcoming movie ‘Varanasi’.
about 1 month ago

[CULTURE] 24 sources
Mahesh Babu's first look as Rudhra in 'Varanasi' unveiled
Makers of the film 'Varanasi' unveiled first-look stills of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra on his 51st birthday, showcasing rugged shots filmed in the African wilderness.
about 1 month ago

[CULTURE] 3 sources
Rajamouli says 80% of IMAX Film 'Varanasi' Completed, Details on Scale and Release
S.S. Rajamouli reports 80 % of his IMAX epic 'Varanasi' starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra is shot; the film uses the format for massive set pieces and is set for 7 April 2027 release.
about 1 month ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Attend Movie Night with Mahesh Babu in Hyderabad
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas joined Mahesh Babu for a movie night in Hyderabad; they will co‑star with him in S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming film “Varanasi,” set for release in April 2027.
about 2 months ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Priyanka Chopra lands in Hyderabad to resume filming Varanasi
Priyanka Chopra, with husband Nick Jonas and daughter Malti Marie, landed in Hyderabad to resume filming SS Rajamouli’s epic Varanasi, her first Indian role in eight years.
about 2 months ago

[CULTURE] 3 sources
Priyanka Chopra talks global cinema shift and Bollywood gossip in recent interviews
Priyanka Chopra highlighted Indian cinema's global rise at Cannes Lions 2026 and joked about Bollywood gossip with Nick Jonas, while previewing her 2027 film Varanasi.
about 2 months ago

[CULTURE] 33 sources
Priyanka Chopra Debuts Varanasi Character Mandakini on Birthday
On her 44th birthday, Priyanka Chopra’s first look as Mandakini in SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi was unveiled; the film releases April 7 2027 and also stars Mahesh Babu. Nick Jonas posted birthday wishes and a Spain‑
about 2 months ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Priyanka Chopra reveals role details for SS Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi
Priyanka Chopra, returning to Indian cinema after eight years, teased her role in SS Rajamouli’s epic film Varanasi, noting 14 months of work, slow‑motion jumps, a dance number and an April 2027 release.
3 months ago

[CULTURE] 6 sources
S.S. Rajamouli's epic film Varanasi slated for April 2027 worldwide release
S.S. Rajamouli’s film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, blends mythology and sci‑fi, wrapped by Sep‑Oct 2026 and set for a worldwide release on 7 April 2027 after a strong Annecy festival show
3 months ago

[CULTURE] 6 sources
SS Rajamouli's epic film Varanasi generates global buzz
SS Rajamouli’s high‑budget film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, is noted for intense production demands and a possible Netflix streaming deal, with a worldwide release set for 7 April 2027.
3 months ago

[CULTURE] 7 sources
Priyanka Chopra Confirms Collaboration with Angelina Jolie
Priyanka Chopra confirmed an undisclosed collaboration with Angelina Jolie and highlighted her upcoming work on S.S. Rajamouli’s high‑budget film “Varanasi,” set for global release in April 2027.
3 months ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
SS Rajamouli's film Varanasi to feature 30‑minute epic Rama vs Kumbhakarna battle
SS Rajamouli’s film Varanasi will feature a 30‑minute Rama‑vs‑Kumbhakarna battle, with Mahesh Babu as Rama, possible casting of Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Priyanka Chopra, slated for 2027 release.
4 months ago

[CULTURE] 12 sources
SS Rajamouli's 'Varanasi' Fuels Buzz from Epic Set Photo and Priyanka Chopra Jonas' Poolside Post
SS Rajamouli's upcoming epic 'Varanasi', starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, gains buzz from a massive set photo of the Ugrabhatti Cave and the star's poolside Instagram post; release set for 7 April 2027

Sources

123telugu.com · arynews.tv · bhaskarlive.in · bollyspice.com · bollywoodbubble.com · bollywoodlife.com · boxofficeworldwide.com · businessupturn.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · caminodesantiago.lavozdegalicia.com · cassiuslife.com · chennaivision.com · cinemaexpress.com · cinescopia.com · cultursmag.com · dailytimes.com.pk · data.gov.uk · deccanchronicle.com · deltasigmacompany.com · desiblitz.com · desitalkchicago.com · dnaindia.com · emanuellevy.com · en.etemaaddaily.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · english.publictv.in · fineartandyou.com · gistreel.com · glamournepal.net · glamsham.com · greatandhra.com · gymnasticsassociation.org · hauterrfly.com · hugogloss.uol.com.br · ibtimes.co.in · in.mashable.com · india.com · indiaforums.com · indias.news · indtoday.com · inmagazine.ig.com.br · kalingatv.com · kalkulator.hu · kannada.asianetnews.com · kannadaprabha.com · larepublica.ec · latestly.com · m.ibtimes.co.in

This summary has been updated 16 times: see revision history