SS Rajamouli says Varanasi grew from a long-standing question: how can the scale and spirit of India’s epics be brought to the screen more fully? The filmmaker calls the Mahesh Babu-led film his most ambitious project yet, with an ensemble cast and a confirmed theatrical release date.

Rajamouli’s Longstanding Interest in Epic Stories

Speaking on a podcast, Rajamouli reflected on growing up watching films based on Indian mythology and the epics. He said those films left him wanting to see the stories presented with a greater sense of their scale. That impression stayed with him and eventually led him to consider how cinema could convey the breadth of these narratives more effectively.

For Rajamouli, Varanasi is connected to that creative question. He has described the film as a major undertaking, shaped by his desire to approach epic material with the scale he believes it deserves. His comments offer a glimpse into the thinking behind the project, though the filmmakers have not revealed the full story or how the film will draw on specific epic traditions.

A Large-Scale Film Led by Mahesh Babu

Mahesh Babu leads the cast of Varanasi, marking his first collaboration with Rajamouli. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Prakash Raj are also part of the ensemble in key roles. The combination of a prominent Telugu star, international star power and established performers has put the film among the most closely watched Indian productions in development.

The project’s scale is central to Rajamouli’s description of it, but details about the characters and their place in the story remain limited. The director’s remarks have focused on the ambition behind the film and his interest in finding a cinematic approach that can match the breadth of epic storytelling.

Release Date and Creative Team

Varanasi is scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 7, 2027. The announced date gives audiences a release window for Rajamouli’s next feature, while further updates are expected to reveal more about its production and story. 

KL Narayana and S. S. Karthikeya are producing the film, with M. M. Keeravani composing the music. Their involvement brings together Rajamouli’s regular creative collaborators for a project he has described as especially ambitious. For now, the director’s comments frame Varanasi as both a large-scale production and a personal effort to explore how Indian epic stories can be brought to the screen.