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Rajamouli's Varanasi film progress

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2026-08-23 11:41 UTC → 2026-09-06 17:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. Instead, the film will utilize real voice artists to dub the project into roughly 50 languages, involving more than 1,500 artists to ensure the “emotional charge, personality, and intent” of the original performances are preserved. While the decision to shoot entirely for IMAX offers a premium experience, industry executives note it represents a financial gamble. Priyanka Chopra, marking her return to Indian cinema, has been active in India for filming and recently discussed her views on authenticity within the Bollywood industry.

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