Rajamouli conceived the film as a globetrotting adventure rooted in Indian cultural themes, drawing inspiration from the structure and emotional tone of classic adventure cinema.[c] Initial discussions for a collaboration with Mahesh Babu began in 2010, but the project materialised only after the completion of RRR (2022). The film was formally launched with a puja in January 2025, and principal photography commenced the following month in Hyderabad. Filming and production later moved to Tanzania, Kenya and Odisha. With a budget of over ₹1,000 crore ($110 million), Varanasi is set to become one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.
The film has music composed by M. M. Keeravani, with production design by Mohan Bingi, cinematography by P. S. Vinod, editing by Bikkina Thammiraju and visual effects by V. Srinivas Mohan. Varanasi is the first Indian film to be shot in 1.43:1 IMAX format. The film is scheduled to be theatrically released in 2027.
Initial discussions for director S. S. Rajamouli's first collaboration with actor Mahesh Babu date back to 2010, though the project underwent several delays due to unspecified reasons.[16][17] During this period, K. L. Narayana's Sri Durga Arts was confirmed as the production banner attached to the film.[18] Following the worldwide success of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion in 2017, it was reported that Rajamouli and Babu would proceed with a film together, marking their maiden collaboration.[19] In October 2017, Rajamouli revealed in an interview with Variety that he had two forthcoming projects in development: one to be produced by D. V. V. Danayya under DVV Entertainment and the other by Sri Durga Arts.[20] Rajamouli chose to begin with the DVV Entertainment project, which ultimately became RRR (2022).[21][22]
In April 2020, Rajamouli confirmed that the Sri Durga Arts project, featuring Babu in the lead, would commence production after the completion of RRR. In June 2021, V. Vijayendra Prasad, Rajamouli's father and co-writer, stated that the film was being conceived as an African forest adventure.[23] In October 2021, Babu confirmed that filming would begin after he completed work on Guntur Kaaram (2024).[24]
Describing the film as a "globetrotting action adventure" and a "James Bond or Indiana Jones" adventure, Rajamouli noted that it would follow the stylistic lines of Indiana Jones while retaining Indian cultural roots. Prasad added that the film would incorporate emotional elements similar to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).[25][26] It is also reported that the ancient city of Kasi forms a crucial part of the story.[27] The film is made on a budget of ₹1,000 crore (US$120million)-₹1,200 crore (US$140million), which would make it the most expensive Indian film to date,[1][2][3] with both Rajamouli and Babu reportedly taking the revenue sharing model to benefit the film's production; as per the basis, they would receive an advance, and 40% of the profits would be received as their remuneration.[28] The film was popularly referred to in the media as SSMB29 (Superstar Mahesh Babu's 29th film), as it is intended to be Babu's 29th film as a lead actor,[29][30] until the official title Varanasi was announced on 15 November 2025.[31] Other working titles included GlobeTrotter and Gen 63 (Generation 63).[32][33] A title dispute arose over the film because Rama Bramha Hanuma Creations, led by C.H. Subba Reddy, claimed to own the rights to the name (registered as “Vaaranasi”) with the Telugu Film Producers’ Council since 2023.[34] Rajamouli’s team used a slightly different spelling “Vāranāsi” when announcing the film, sparking questions about who legally owns the title.[35] Later, the dispute was resolved after Telugu version's name was changed to "Rajamouli's Varanasi" while in other versions the name "Varanasi" was retained.[6]
Pre-production
In March 2024, Rajamouli and Prasad had completed writing the final script and began the pre-production process.[36] They had used two years (2022–2024) on developing the story.[37] In January 2024, Babu flew to Germany to undergo intense physical training as part of preparation for his role.[38][39] In October, Rajamouli was seen scouting for shooting locations in Kenya (Amboseli National Park).[40] A muhurat puja was held on 2 January 2025 at Alluminium Factory in Hyderabad with the film's cast and crew.[41]
In September 2024, P. S. Vinod was announced as cinematographer, in his first collaboration with Rajamouli and replacing K. K. Senthil Kumar, his norm collaborator since Sye (2004).[42]M. M. Keeravani, who has scored the music for all of Rajamouli's films, will score the music.[43] Tammiraju was chosen as the film's editor.[44] Actor Nassar was brought onboard to help the crew, whereas he helped Babu to train him dialect.[45]
Casting
Babu was reported to play as an explorer inspired by the characteristics of Hanuman.[46]Priyanka Chopra Jonas was confirmed as the female lead, marking her first collaboration with Babu and Rajamouli and her return to Indian cinema after The Sky Is Pink (2019) and to Telugu Cinema after Thoofan (2013).[47]Prithviraj Sukumaran is signed to play the antagonist's role alongside Mahesh Babu, marking his third Telugu film after Police Police (2010) and Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023).[48] Rajamouli signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) after the success of RRR, and would be reportedly using various American actors for this film.[49]Rajat Kapoor was signed to play Babu's father, however, the casting was called off due to creative differences.[50] In December 2025, actor Prakash Raj has joined the production.[51]
Filming
In September 2024, it was reported that Rajamouli would firstly prioritize sequences which would need VFX when filming, due to the film reportedly featuring multiple VFX-based action sequences, Principal photography was initially reported to commence from 2024, but instead commenced on 2 February 2025 in Hyderabad. Babu, along with Chopra, were both present during the schedule. To avoid leaks of the project, Rajamouli enforced non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for the cast and crew, while also banning mobile phones at the set.[52] Chopra resumed filming her portions in early February after attending her brother’s wedding.[53] After completing the schedule in Hyderabad, reports claimed that the makers would shoot the following schedule in Kenya.[54] The portions in the schedule were completed filming by early March 2025.[55]
For the second schedule, Babu and Sukumaran left to Odisha together on 5 March 2025.[48] For the third schedule, the makers constructed a massive set at Talamali Hilltop in the Semiligudablock of Koraput district, which resembled Kashi.[56] However, a picture of the set was leaked to social media once again.[57] During this schedule, an action sequence was shot. On 9 March 2025, a footage featuring both the actors were leaked on social media platforms.[58] Reportedly, Rajamouli became furious about the leak and requested the production house to hire a new security agency.[59] In April 2025, an elaborate set, again resembling the ancient city of Kashi, was erected in Hyderabad.[60][61] In November 2025, it was confirmed by Rajamouli that the filming of the climax scenes were underway.[62][63]
Music
The soundtrack is composed by Rajamouli's frequent collaborator M. M. Keeravani.[43]
A pre-look poster was released on 9 August 2025, coinciding with Babu’s 50th birthday, and revealed that the film’s first look would be launched in November 2025.[64] Later, an event titled The Globetrotter Event was held on 15 November 2025 at Ramoji Film City, with the presence of the film's cast and crew, during which the film's title and first concept reel were launched.[65][66] It was streamed live on JioHotstar in India, becoming the first movie launch to be streamed on a streaming service while Variety streamed the event internationally on YouTube.[67] In the same event, Rajamouli announced that Varanasi is being shot in 1.43:1 IMAX format, making the first Indian film as well as the first non-English film to do so.[68]
Release
Theatrical
The film is scheduled to be theatrically released in 2027 in standard and IMAX formats.[65][69] Shot in the Telugu language, it will also be released with dubbed versions in the English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada languages.[70] It is the second Indian film to be filmed for IMAX, following Ramayana Part 1 (2026), and the first non-English film to feature 1.43:1 IMAX ratio sequences.[71][72]
Notes
↑Estimates range between ₹1000 crore[1][2][3] and ₹1300 crore.[4]
↑Stylized onscreen as Vāranāsi or S. S. Rajamouli's Varanasi in the film's Telugu version.[5][6]
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