SS Rajamouli on 'Varanasi' and Filming in IMAX: 'Words Don't Do Justice To Its Scale'

Speaking at the title and teaser launch of Varanasi, Telugu filmmaker SS Rajamouli detailed his experience directing the anticipated upcoming film starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The director announced that it will be filmed and released in IMAX. "I usually speak about the story of my films at press meets. But with this film, it's different. Mere words don’t do justice to the scale and scope. So we decided to put out a video that would convey the scale, ambition and story of the film," the filmmaker said at the event.

SS Rajamouli also added that the film will be shot in IMAX. "We are introducing a new technology to Telugu cinema. It will be a premium large-scale format filmed for IMAX." The film, which spans various time periods and places, including CE and Tretayuga, an important epoch in Hindu cosmology, seems to have mythological roots. The teaser also features glimpses of Lord Ram, before cutting to Mahesh Babu riding a bull. "When I started this film, I didn’t think I would capture an important part of Ramayana. On the first day of the photoshoot, I had goosebumps seeing Mahesh [Babu] in the attire of Lord Ram," the filmmaker said.

In the same event, Mahesh Babu added that this was a dream project for him. "I’ll work as hard as I can and make everyone proud." Prithviraj, who plays the film's primary antagonist Kumbha, called his character one of the most physically and emotionally complex roles. "Five minutes into the narration, I was blown away. For the rest of the 3 hours, I listened to it like the boy who has the next edition of his favourite comic book. What took my breath away was the audacity of Rajamouli garu's imagination." Chopra Jonas, who plays the female lead in the film, thanked Mahesh Babu and his family for making Hyderabad seem like home for the actor, before addressing her director. "Thank you for choosing me as your Mandakini. You are truly the visionary who has brought Indian cinema to the globe like no one else before."

The Telugu film, which is produced by KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya, is aiming for a 2027 release.