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After the global earthquake that was RRR, SS Rajamouli is back to redefine the “grand visual experience” with his most ambitious project yet: Varanasi. In a candid deep-dive with Screen Rant Plus, the “Master of Spectacle” shared the secrets behind his newest cinematic universe. Here are the highlights:
- The 15-Year Wait: Rajamouli finally opens up about his long-anticipated collaboration with superstar Mahesh Babu.
- The Perfect Lead: He reveals why Priyanka Chopra was the only choice to anchor this massive story.
- World-Building: The director explores the immersive, high-stakes “worlds” he has spent years meticulously crafting.
Rajamouli isn’t just telling another story; he’s building a phenomenon.
Watch the Latest Interview of Varanasi Director SS Rajamouli His Long-Anticipated, Globetrotting Film
The Vision Beyond Boundaries: What is ‘Varanasi’?
Rajamouli doesn’t just make movies; he builds universes. In the interview, Rajamouli emphasized that Varanasi is more than a title. It is a journey across time and space. Labeled as a “Globetrotter” adventure, the film bridges the gap between 2027 and ancient history.
One of the most striking revelations was the technical audacity of the project. Rajamouli is shooting the film in the 1.43:1 IMAX ratio, the largest format in cinema history. “When we started designing the worlds of Varanasi, we realized we needed a bigger format to capture their magnificence,” he shared. The commitment to this scale is so intense that they even built a temporary 100-foot screen just to launch the glimpse!
A Collaboration 15 Years in the Making
For fans of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, this film is the culmination of a decade-and-a-half-long dream. Rajamouli revealed that he and Mahesh first committed to working together back in 2010.
“We met at a cusp of transformation in Indian cinema,” Rajamouli recalled. “I had three commitments, and we thought it would take 3 or 4 years. But then Eega took 2 years, Baahubali took 5, and RRR was delayed by the pandemic.”
Despite the 15-year gap, their commitment never wavered. This partnership promises to showcase Mahesh Babu in a never-seen-before avatar: an adventurer who is as charismatic as he is courageous.
Priyanka Chopra: The “Mandakini” who Kicks Ass
The addition of global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas has added a massive layer of international appeal to the film. Returning to Indian cinema after nearly eight years, Priyanka plays a character named Mandakini.
Rajamouli was looking for an actor who could balance two extremes: being a “badass” who can take down a room full of enemies, and being deeply vulnerable. For more insights into how this powerhouse cast came together, you can check out the Varanasi movie interview Mahesh Babu Priyanka Chopra which explores the chemistry and the creative process behind this selection.
The director admitted he was initially worried if Priyanka’s time in Hollywood would change her “Indian way” of acting, but he was pleasantly surprised. “On the first day, first shot, she was like a fish in water,” he said.
Addressing the 2027 Timeline and “Avatar” Comparisons
Social media has been buzzing with comparisons between ‘Varanasi’ and James Cameron’s Avatar. While Rajamouli humbly dismissed being compared to the “Master” Cameron, the scale of his VFX-heavy production certainly warrants the discussion.
The film is aiming for a 2027 release. While Rajamouli is famously known for production delays, he remains confident. The story will likely be a non-linear narrative, hopping between the future and the past, rooted deeply in Indian mythology.
“These stories are not from the ‘yesteryear,'” Rajamouli explained. “They are the blood flowing in our veins. They are constants.”
