The terrain is about to take a tectonic turn in cinema history. S.S. Rajamouli, the father of a cinematic journey from Baahubali to the Oscar-winning RRR, has finally published the crux of his next project with “Superstar” Mahesh Babu. Named Varanasi, we’re meant to see the Indian film not just as a cinematic experience, but as a technology experiment poised to take India to new levels of filmmaking worldwide.
A Science-Fiction Odyssey Like No Other
In a departure from his usual historical and folklore-based themes, Rajamouli is diving headfirst into Science Fiction with Varanasi. While the film's title may imply a relationship to India’s ancient spiritual capital, one of its most reliable sources has told all insiders that it is intended as the ultimate storytelling exercise including advanced technology, ancient mysteries and a worldwide quest. Mahesh Babu is doing an adventurer-explorer role on the horizon, requiring an extreme physical metamorphosis, as well as a clean, modern aesthetic.
Historical Firsts: IMAX and Antarctica
Varanasi is even breaking records before finishing its first routine.
The IMAX Revolution: The first Indian feature film to be shot entirely in the IMAX format. Rajamouli is said to have collaborated closely with international cinematographers to bring the visual scale in level with its Hollywood siblings like Interstellar or Dune.
Frozen Frontier: Varanasi will be the first Indian film to set in Antarctica and shock to the industry in the process. For months, the production team has been hunting for permits and specialist film gear to film in the sub-zero, unblemished wilderness, an environment with unprecedented potential for domestic film.
A Pan-Indian Powerhouse Cast
Consistent with Rajamouli's "Pan-Indian" philosophy, Varanasi's cast is a mix of talent from around the country. Mahesh Babu heads the charge, but the film boasts heavyweights from Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam industries, the report said. This casting is part of a campaign to draw in a global audience in a culturally diverse manner just like the RRR.
The Road to April 2027
The film is due for a massive worldwide launch on April 7, 2027, during the time of most potential summer holiday sales. I won't go into that because since the VFX has already been well in scope and the shooting locations are hard, the whole pre-cinema has already been a year. Keeravani probably at the very front of the music and with a budget believed to be the largest in India’s history, Varanasi is no ordinary movie it’s what it is.
At the dawn of the “Rajamouli-Mahesh” era, moviegoers are preparing themselves for a thrill that promises to pull together ancient Indian spirit and futuristic sci-fi wizardry.
