After the worldwide phenomenon of RRR, director S.S. Rajamouli has returned with what may be his most ambitious project yet: Varanasi. Previously known by working titles such as GEN 63, Globetrotter, and SSMB29, the film finally received its official name and first public showcase on November 15 at a massive launch celebration held at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.
With tens of thousands of fans in attendance and a monumental LED screen illuminating the venue, Rajamouli revealed early footage, unprecedented technical ambitions, and major casting details for a movie set to push the boundaries of Indian — and global — blockbuster cinema.
Designed for IMAX: A First for Indian Cinema
At the event, Rajamouli confirmed that Varanasi will be filmed specifically for IMAX, marking the first time an Indian film has been shot natively for the format. Rather than simply upscaling for IMAX screenings, the production is using cameras, framing, and staging intended to maximise the immersive, large-format experience.
This positions Varanasi as a major international theatrical event when it arrives in 2027, mirroring the director’s rising global profile after RRR attracted Western audiences, critics, celebrities, and major awards outlets.
What the First Varanasi Footage Revealed
The early footage stunned attendees with its sweeping scope — crossing continents, eras, and mythologies. Rajamouli is clearly crafting a film that transcends simple genre classification.
A Story Told Across Millennia
The trailer opens in the year 512 CE in an ancient kingdom named Varanasi, establishing a historical–mythological foundation. But the narrative quickly expands its timeline:
- 2071 CE — The city faces catastrophic danger as meteors rain down from the sky, hinting at apocalyptic stakes.
- Antarctica, same era — Explorers investigate a ship entombed in ice, suggesting mysteries linked across ages.
- Africa — Vibrant, high-fidelity CGI brings the natural world to life, including a striking sequence where a group of aggressive hippos attack a monkey, showcasing the film’s realism and visual ambition.
Battles of Gods, Monsters, and Humans
The tone shifts dramatically as the trailer plunges into 7200 BCE, revealing:
- An underground cavern where monstrous creatures clash with early humans.
- A massive surface-level war between humans and colossal gods.
- A human army forming a tower-like formation, with one warrior perched at the peak, bow drawn toward a descending deity.
These sequences evoke a fusion of ancient mythology, speculative history, and high fantasy, suggesting a film that spans genres as boldly as it spans time.
A Heroic Final Reveal
The footage concludes with the debut of the film’s lead:
- Mahesh Babu appears as Rudhra, dramatically riding a bull and brandishing a trident in front of imposing pyramid structures.
The combination of mythic iconography, stylized heroism, and Rajamouli’s signature dynamism signals that Rudhra will be a larger-than-life cinematic figure.
Cast, Characters, and Early Plot Details
While Rajamouli traditionally keeps his stories under tight secrecy, the event revealed foundational character descriptions:
Mahesh Babu as Rudhra
- A globe-trotting, Indiana Jones-style archaeologist-adventurer.
- Likely the key figure connecting the film’s far-flung eras, artifacts, and mythological elements.
- Early visuals emphasize physicality, mysticism, and heroic grandeur.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini
- Another explorer character.
- Expected to join Rudhra in unraveling a centuries-spanning mystery.
- Marks a major international collaboration and her return to large-scale Indian cinema.
Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha
- The film’s primary antagonist.
- Wields advanced scientific technology, including a chair equipped with multi-arm robotic appendages reminiscent of Doc Ock.
- His fusion of cutting-edge tech with ancient lore suggests he may be manipulating powers or artifacts beyond modern understanding.
If RRR reinvented the historical-action genre with heightened style and emotional storytelling, Varanasi appears poised to expand even further — diving into sci-fi, fantasy, myth, and planetary-scale threats. Its travel from prehistory to the distant future signals one of the most narratively expansive films ever attempted in Indian cinema.
With IMAX cameras, international stars, Rajamouli’s worldbuilding, and a release planned for 2027, Varanasi is shaping up to be a monumental global event.
