SS Rajamouli has revealed that his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, is five to six times bigger in scale than his blockbuster RRR. The filmmaker shared interesting details about the film’s production and explained how extensive pre-production helped the team complete filming in fewer days despite the project’s massive scale.
Speaking during his visit to Brazil for the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, Rajamouli said he did considerably more paperwork and planning before beginning the shoot of Varanasi. According to the director, RRR took 315 days to film, while Varanasi has been shot in 275 days, saving 40 days.
The filmmaker’s comments highlight the importance of detailed preparation when working on a project of this magnitude. With multiple locations, different timelines and large-scale sequences, the team had to plan extensively before bringing the story to the screen. Rajamouli’s experience with RRR also helped him approach the new film with greater preparation.
Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film combines adventure, fantasy and elements inspired by Indian mythology, with its narrative spanning locations including India, Africa and Antarctica.
Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas portrays Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Kumbha. The ambitious project is expected to bring together large-scale action, time-travel elements and mythological storytelling.
Produced by KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya, Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027. Rajamouli’s latest revelations have further raised expectations for the film, which aims to deliver another grand cinematic experience following the global success of RRR.