Acclaimed Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli, the creative force behind the global phenomenon RRR, has officially announced his next cinematic venture, a project poised to be his most ambitious to date.
A Mythological Time-Travel Adventure
The new film, titled Varanasi, is described as a visually spectacular time-travel adventure that will draw deeply from the rich tapestry of Hindu mythology. In a major announcement event held in Hyderabad that drew thousands of enthusiastic fans, Rajamouli confirmed the project is scheduled for a global IMAX release in 2027.
The film will feature a star-studded cast, headlined by Telugu cinema superstar Mahesh Babu, who will be making his long-awaited debut in a Rajamouli-directed film. He will be joined by international star Priyanka Chopra Jonas and acclaimed actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, promising a powerful on-screen combination.
Global Aspirations for Tollywood
At the launch event, Mahesh Babu expressed his excitement, describing Varanasi as a 'once-in-a-lifetime project' with significant global aspirations. This sentiment echoes the impact of Rajamouli's previous works, the Baahubali series and the Oscar-winning RRR, which dramatically elevated the profile of the Telugu-language film industry, popularly known as Tollywood, on the international stage.
Rajamouli's proven track record of creating visually stunning and narratively compelling blockbusters suggests that Varanasi is set to be a major cinematic event. The fusion of the time-travel genre with elements from ancient Indian epics presents a unique and highly anticipated concept for audiences worldwide.
What to Expect from the Project
While specific plot details are being kept under wraps, the announcement has already generated immense buzz. The choice of Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and a spiritual epicentre in India, as the title and likely a central location, hints at a story deeply connected to themes of time, faith, and destiny.
The confirmation of a 2027 release gives the production a substantial timeline, indicating the scale and detailed post-production work, including extensive visual effects, that will be required to bring this ambitious vision to life.
